AX 3 DOMAINES, France -- Chris Froome used the first tough mountain stage to take command of the Tour de France on Saturday, leaving two-time champion Alberto Contador and other challengers in his wake on a grueling climb in the Pyrenees to seize the leaders yellow jersey with a dominant win on the eighth stage. Froome entered the Tour as the favourite after finishing second last year behind countryman and Sky teammate Bradley Wiggins, who isnt defending his title because of an injury. And after Froomes performance on Saturday, the race looks like its his to lose. "I must be among the happiest men in the world today," Froome said. "Theres a long way to go until Paris. There are two weeks left but we want to keep the yellow jersey." Froome leads Contador by nearly two minutes, with former champions Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans much further back, ahead of another tough mountain stage on Sunday. "More than anything today weve got a bit of a psychological advantage over the others," Froome said. "Its quite hard to think about this, standing in yellow today. This is incredible. Weve worked for months to be in this position." In the overall standings, Froome is 51 seconds ahead of teammate Richie Porte and leads third-place Alejandro Valverde by 1:25. Meanwhile, Contador is 1:51 behind in seventh spot; Schleck is 4:00 back in 21st and Evans is 4:36 adrift in 23rd. Victorias Ryder Hesjedal finished the stage in 39th and is 35th overall. David Veilleux of Cap-Rouge, Que., and Svein Tuft of Langley, B.C., are 138th and 179th, respectively. This is the 100th edition of the Tour -- and the first since Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven straight titles (1999-2005) for doping. Froomes ride on Saturday resembled Armstrong at his best, when the American used to punish his opponents early in the race to take control. Froome was asked after the stage to vouch that he is riding clean. "One hundred per cent," he responed. "Its normal that people ask questions in cycling," he said. "I certainly know the results Im getting, theyre not going to be stripped ... I think the sport (has) changed. If you look at it logically the sport is in a better place now than it has been." The 28-year-old Froome attacked early into the days second big climb up to Ax 3 Domaines and only Porte, who finished the stage 51 seconds behind in second, was anywhere near him. "The team was absolutely perfect today," Porte said. "Im absolutely finished but it was an incredible day." Contador grimly held on as long as he could, and was dropped by Froome long after 2010 champion Schleck and the 2011 champion Evans had already been left behind. "I tried to find my rhythm because it was a bit too fast for me," Schleck said. "Its only the first day of the mountains and its not over yet." Froome took the yellow jersey from South African cyclist Daryl Impey, his former training partner, who crawled over the line 7:50 behind in 35th spot. Contador finished the stage 1:45 behind Froome, Schleck trailed by 3:34 and the 36-year-old Evans was 4:13 adrift. "I wasnt expecting that much for today," Froome said. "The time gaps were so big, thats quite something. Were in a really good position." Given that Froome may attack again in Sundays second tortuous Pyrenean climbs -- featuring four straight category 1 ascents -- he could be well on the way to victory by Mondays rest day. "I think were well poised," Froome said. "Were going to have to fight for it but Im confident in the team we have." Saturdays 195-kilometre (121-mile) trek started from Castres and stayed flat for a long time before reaching spiking upwards. The Col de Pailheres came first -- a ferociously tough ascent for about nine miles at a gradient of eight per cent -- and then a shorter but even steeper ride to the finish at the ski resort of Ax 3 Domaines. Colombian rider Nairo Quintana broke away to launch a brutal attack up Pailheres, and only Frenchman Pierre Roland initially followed him, but Porte helped Froome steadily gain ground on them. Schleck, Evans and then Rolland were dropped with about 6 kilometres (4 miles) left to go up to Ax 3 Domaines as Contador desperately tried to stay on Portes wheel. Porte had tired Contador to the point that the Spaniard was even struggling to keep up with teammate Roman Kreuziger, so Froome decided it was time to finish him off. "I am little bit surprised," Froome said. "Maybe he (Contador) didnt have his best day today." Froome climbed with such blistering acceleration it almost looked like he was riding a time trial, blowing past Quintana and then Porte. "It may look easy on TV but it wasnt," Froome said. Still, he had time to ease up in the saddle, raise his arms and soak up victory in the blazing sun. . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. [url=http://www.officialauthenticsf49ersonline.com/AUTHENTIC-CJ-BEATHARD-49ERS-J... J. Beathard Jersey . Louis Blues absence from top spot in the TSN. . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. [url=http://www.officialauthenticsf49ersonline.com/AUTHENTIC-JOE-WILLIAMS-49ERS-... Williams Youth Jersey . Luis Suarezs double powered Liverpool to a 4-0 victory over Fulham, and Southampton easily overcame Hull 4-1 to continue the south coast clubs impressive start to the season. Liverpool and Southampton sent Chelsea down to fourth place as the west London club was held to 2-2 at home. Steve Diamond insists Sale are ready to face rugbys equivalent of football giants Barcelona on Friday night.Toulons galacticos visit AJ Bell Stadium with the aim of reviving their European Champions Cup group campaign after their Cote dAzur stronghold was stormed for the first time in major European competition by Saracens last weekend.They cannot afford another set-back and Diamond has heaped all the pressure on the big-spending Top 14 club as Sale seek to bounce back from their own loss to the Scarlets.In football terms its a bit like Barcelona coming to town because Toulon are the biggest club in world rugby. Well see how good they are on Friday night, the Sharks director of rugby said.Toulon are the biggest spending team in the world. Theyre the most successful side over the last five years and were fortunate enough to have them in the group.You can see how prominent that is by the size of the crowd - theres 8,000 tickets sold and the Manchester public come out to watch the big teams. Theres no bigger than Toulon.Toulon have everything to do. Theyve got to come to Manchester on a wet, windy night to beat us and get a bonus point - so the pressure is on tthem.ddddddddddddThe players have got a game plan to put in place and if they get that right and put in a really good performance, then perhaps well get a win.By virtue of us not losing many games over the last four years at home, it makes it a difficult place for sides to come to. Toulon were beaten last week taking no points so the pressure is on them really.Weve just got to do what we do well and perform at the highest level and if we do that weve got a chance. Sale make five changes following their 28-11 defeat by the Scarlets, among them the return of scrum-half Peter Stringer from a bicep injury. Toulon backs coach Mike Ford insists Sale will fancy their chances after his side were beaten 31-23 by reigning champions Saracens.Sale will be tough and will be licking their lips, but we have superb players and they will respond, Ford said.Wales captain Sam Warburton is still missing as the Blues prepare to face Pau in the Challenge Cup.Warburton, who has recovered from a fractured cheekbone, has been ruled out by neck stiffness. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '