Ricco rocks Tour de France as Evans crashes

BAGNERES-DE-BIGORRE, France (AFP) — No one would admit it after what proved to be a thrilling, but painful first day of climbing in the Pyrenees mountains on the Tour France.

But more than one team manager will watching for signs of weakness from leading yellow jersey contender Cadel Evans during Monday's 10th stage over 156km from Pau to the race's first summit finish at Hautacam.

Evans, the runner-up in 2007 to Spaniard Alberto Contador, an absentee this year, crashed heavily before the peloton hit any of the big climbs and got back on -- albeit bruised and battered -- to finish with all his big rivals.

The Australian was keen that no one touched him and came over the finish line flanked by his bodyguard and crying out, "Make sure nobody touches my left shoulder!"

When asked for his reaction to the incident, Evans gave his helmet ...