The 2007 champion's victory on the 207.5km trek through the Jura mountains sees him top the overall classification by 97 seconds from Astana team-mate Lance Armstrong, who could not respond to Contador's break for the line.

Today's stage was viewed as the start proper of the battle for the overall lead of the race, and Contador emphatically underlined his billing as one of the favourites for the title with today's performance.

The Spaniard's lead over seven-time champion Armstrong will take some overhauling, and Contador believes it is time for the Astana team to back his bid at the expense of the American's.

"I think the differences are now pretty big so I think it's clear that the team should now support me and ride for me," Contador told Eurosport.

"I'm sure my team-mates will work hard for me for the rest of the Tour."

The 26-year-old admitted his break in the closing kilometres had been somewhat premature, although he always had enough in the tank to claim the stage win, and appeared much fresher than Armstrong - 11 years his senior - at the finish.

"When I came out of the peloton, I attacked before I intended to, but looking at the situation I decided to have a go at it," he continued.

"I saw I was opening a gap and just kept on going. I'm extremely happy about the gap to my rivals.

"Tomorrow is a rest day so I will recover tomorrow, but next week will be extremely hard."

Schleck claimed the white jersey for the best young rider after his spirited ride to second place, while Vicenco Nibali took a deserved third for Liquigas.

Britain's Bradley Wiggins put on a remarkable performance to finish alongside Frank Schleck and reigning champion Carlos Sastre and move into third place in the GC.

The 29-year-old Wiggins now sits 1min 46secs behind Contador ahead of tomorrow's rest day.

Erstwhile race leader Rinaldo Nocentini came home more than two and a half minutes behind Contador today and has dropped to sixth place in the overall standings.