Cadel Evans of Australia wore the yellow jersey as riders started Saturday’s 14th stage of the Tour de France, the last day before the showcase race hits the high mountains in the Alps.

With three riders having been kicked out for doping violations, and 19 others pulling out with injury or fatigue, the 158 remaining cyclists took the 120.9-mile trek from Nimes to Digne-les-Bains which featured some small climbs as it snaked toward the foothills of the Alps.

The 31-year-old Evans, runner-up last year, defended a one-second lead over Frank Schleck of Luxembourg and a 38-second gap ahead of American rider Christian Vande Velde.