Evans takes slimmest of leads into the Alps

DIGNE-LES-BAINS, France (Reuters) - Cadel Evans's one-second lead in the Tour de France will count as little when the three-week race enters the Alps on Sunday.

The testing trek through the mountains will feature six out-of-category climbs, the first of them in Sunday's 15th stage from Embrun to Prato Nevoso in Italy.

Following the intimidating ascent of the Col d'Agnel, culminating at 2,744 meters and where the Tour has never ventured before, the favorites will battle it out on the final climb to the Italian ski resort of Prato Nevoso.

Although he has no team mate really capable of pulling him all the way in the Alps, Evans hopes common interests can bring him some help from other riders.

"The CSC are the only team with two and even three great riders. With the strength they have, we might need to join forces," said Evans, who rides for Silence-Lotto.

CSC have second-placed Frank Schleck of Luxembourg and Spaniard Carlos Sastre, who is sixth. Other rivals include fifth-placed Russian Denis Menchov and, to a lesser degree, Spain's Alejandro Valverde and Italian Damiano Cunego, who will be keen to shine in his country.

Italian fans will miss climbing ace Riccardo Ricco, who left the race on Thursday after it was revealed that he had tested positive for the banned substance EPO.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot, editing by Rex Gowar)