Rising Russian Menchov can climb into lead

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The Russian fell as his bike slipped on the wet road in the climb to Prato Nevoso but he recovered strongly and is fourth place overall, only 38 seconds behind race leader Schleck.

"He attacked when nobody could follow but that is part of the game," said Menchov's Rabobank team director Erik Dekker ahead of today's high climb between Cuneo and Jausiers.

"First, we must get rid of Evans. He lost time on Sunday and I think he will lose some more in the next two stages.

"We can expect a big battle in the first climb of the day. The fact that it is after a rest day makes things even more complicated."

The peloton will go past two out-of-category climbs in one day, with three more, including the 21 hairpins of the Alpe d'Huez the day after. "He [Menchov] is confident," added Dekker. "Everyone in the team rides for him."

Dekker added that the CSC team, who dominate the peloton with brothers Frank and Andy Schleck and Spaniard Carlos Sastre, could pay the price for not choosing their leader.

"It's a potential problem for them," said Dekker.