Cadel Evans wore the yellow jersey as riders started Sunday’s 15th stage of the Tour de France, which took the peloton into the Alps for the first of three grueling mountain stages.

Evans held a one-second lead over Luxembourg’s Frank Schleck and was 38 seconds ahead of Christian Vande Velde of the United States. Denis Menchov of Russia and Carlos Sastre were also in contention.

Riders braved rain and wind as they began the 113.7-mile trek from Embrun to Prato Nevoso. It has a 12.7-mile ascent up the Agnel pass, a swift descent into a valley and a final 7-mile climb to the finish.

British sprinter Mark Cavendish, winner of four sprint stages, earlier pulled out complaining of tiredness.

Cyclists will stay in Italy for Monday’s rest day in Cuneo, then face two more tough days of climbing in the French Alps.