Phil Wrochna is the managing editor of firstoffthebike.com and a commentator for SEN 1116. He is writing daily on the Tour for BPL.

It's the little things that sometimes trip us up when we least expect it. One minute everything is OK and then next we are in panic. Professional sportsmen and women are supposed to be able to feel when their bodies are giving out. They know when there is nothing left to push with. But when mechanical devices are involved things take a different turn. They are unpredictable and often lead to opportunities lost.

And so Andy Schleck felt the wrath of the mechanical gods as he attacked yesterday and then dropped his chain in front of all those who mattered. At the top of the last climb of the day the Port de Balès, an 18.87km, 1755m high beast, Schleck's chain fell off. Contador saw what was happening and seized his chance and was gone. And as this move was unfolding the cycling world was rapidly dividing. Was it a fair play move by Contador? Should he have waited? The comparisons to Armstrong, who waited for Jan Ulrich after a crash in 2003 were being rolled out while the battle was still being waged on the mountain.

These are the questions that will be thrown around in cafes, on the road and in homes of those who saw what happened. The result was a new leader of the Tour as another Frenchman Tommy Voeckler soloed his way to a magnificent win.

Who's Hot

Tommy Voeckler - Voeckler was magnificent in victory. A great solo win by a guy who finds himself in the right breaks at the right time. Resplendent in the French tricolour Voeckler further endeared himself to the French cycling loving public. A brave ride was capped off with a guy who soaked up every metre of the finishline.

Sammy Sanchez - Sanchez dropped like a stone last night off the mountain. Indirectly he might have been responsible for taking the yellow jersey out.

Stuey O'Grady - The best domestique in the Tour and captain on the road for Saxo Bank. He is a monster of a bike rider

Alberto Contador - He took yellow but at what cost to his personal reputation? Contador's actions have been condemned by many with even the commentary team of Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin divided on tactics.

Denis Menchov - In the right move again today. This is his best Tour de France so far.

Who's Not

The Schleck bike - That's bike racing. Mechanical faults have been the scourge of cyclists for years and this one could not have come at a more critical time.

Ivan Basso - Yes he won the Giro d'Italia but if you are as cooked as he is why would you take your place on the Tour start line?

Brad Wiggins - Without wanting to harp on the fall of a guy who was fourth a year ago his Tour de France needs to be wiped clear of his memory Men in Black style. Another 9:30 loss on the last stage is demoralising.

Results after Stage 15

1   Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom   4:44:51

2 Alessandro Ballan (Ita) BMC Racing Team 0:01:20

3 Aitor Perez Arrieta (Spa) Footon-Servetto

4 Lloyd Mondory (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:02:50

5 Luke Roberts (Aus) Team Milram

6 Francesco Reda (Ita) Quick Step

7 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana

8 Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi

9 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank

10 Brian Vandborg (Den) Liquigas-Doimo

General Classification (Yellow Jersey)

1   Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana   72:50:42

2 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank 0:00:08

3 Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 0:02:00

4 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank 0:02:13

5 Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 0:03:39

6 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank 0:05:01

7 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Team Radioshack 0:05:25

8 Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha 0:05:45

9 Alexander Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 0:07:12

10 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions 0:07:51

11 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas-Doimo 0:07:58

12 Luis León Sánchez Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0:08:19

13 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team 0:09:02

14 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo 0:09:15

15 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Team Radioshack 0:11:14

16 Thomas Löfkvist (Swe) Sky Professional Cycling Team 0:12:09

17 Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale 0:12:34

18 Kevin De Weert (Bel) Quick Step 0:14:07

19 John Gadret (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:14:24

20 Ruben Plaza Molina (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0:14:47

21 Christopher Horner (USA) Team Radioshack 0:15:37

22 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:16:16

Points Classification (Green Jersey)

1   Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini   187   pts

2 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team 185

3 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team HTC - Columbia 162

4 Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 144

5 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Team Katusha 138

Mountains Classification (Polka Dot Jersey)

1   Anthony Charteau (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom   115   pts

2 Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Quick Step 92

3 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom 82

4 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank 76

5 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana 76

The road ahead

Schleck needs time now. He is not as good a time trialist as Contador. He needs to throw caution to the wind and just go.