Contador back in control in the mountains

ARCALIS, Andorra (Reuters) - Alberto Contador failed by six seconds to seize the reins in the Tour de France but he at least staked his claim as leader of his Astana team in the first mountain stage on Friday.

Contador's surge two kilometres from the finish of the seventh stage in the Andorran resort of Arcalis was too late to prevent Italy's Rinaldo Nocentini, the best-placed rider in a group of nine early escapees, from taking the yellow jersey.

"Everybody wants to take the yellow jersey but finally, it's probably better not to have it because the team won't have to defend it," Contador, winner of the 2007 Tour, told reporters.

"It was difficult to make big gaps because of the headwind but I'm not too disappointed," the 26-year-old said.

Overall, the Spaniard trails Nocentini by six seconds but leads Lance Armstrong, Astana's other team leader, by two seconds.

Seven times Tour champion Armstrong came within a fraction of the yellow jersey after Tuesday's team time trial when he was given the same overall time as then leader Fabian Cancellara in the standings, but the American was never in a position to take it.

Armstrong said Contador had not fully respected the team's tactics.

"Maybe Alberto did not go to the plan but I did not expect him to go by the plan. It was a bit of a surprise but I wasn't surprised," Armstrong said.

"We did not talk (with Armstrong). We will tonight," Contador responded.