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AX 3 DOMAINES, France -- Chris Froome used the first tough mountain stage to take command of the Tour de France on Saturday, leaving two-time champion Alberto Contador and other challengers in his wake on a grueling climb in the Pyrenees to seize the leaders yellow jersey with a dominant win on the eighth stage. Froome entered the Tour as the favourite after finishing second last year behind countryman and Sky teammate Bradley Wiggins, who isnt defending his title because of an injury. And after Froomes performance on Saturday, the race looks like its his to lose. "I must be among the happiest men in the world today," Froome said. "Theres a long way to go until Paris. There are two weeks left but we want to keep the yellow jersey." Froome leads Contador by nearly two minutes, with former champions Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans much further back, ahead of another tough mountain stage on Sunday. "More than anything today weve got a bit of a psychological advantage over the others," Froome said. "Its quite hard to think about this, standing in yellow today. This is incredible. Weve worked for months to be in this position." In the overall standings, Froome is 51 seconds ahead of teammate Richie Porte and leads third-place Alejandro Valverde by 1:25. Meanwhile, Contador is 1:51 behind in seventh spot; Schleck is 4:00 back in 21st and Evans is 4:36 adrift in 23rd. Victorias Ryder Hesjedal finished the stage in 39th and is 35th overall. David Veilleux of Cap-Rouge, Que., and Svein Tuft of Langley, B.C., are 138th and 179th, respectively. This is the 100th edition of the Tour -- and the first since Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven straight titles (1999-2005) for doping. Froomes ride on Saturday resembled Armstrong at his best, when the American used to punish his opponents early in the race to take control. Froome was asked after the stage to vouch that he is riding clean. "One hundred per cent," he responed. "Its normal that people ask questions in cycling," he said. "I certainly know the results Im getting, theyre not going to be stripped ... I think the sport (has) changed. If you look at it logically the sport is in a better place now than it has been." The 28-year-old Froome attacked early into the days second big climb up to Ax 3 Domaines and only Porte, who finished the stage 51 seconds behind in second, was anywhere near him. "The team was absolutely perfect today," Porte said. "Im absolutely finished but it was an incredible day." Contador grimly held on as long as he could, and was dropped by Froome long after 2010 champion Schleck and the 2011 champion Evans had already been left behind. "I tried to find my rhythm because it was a bit too fast for me," Schleck said. "Its only the first day of the mountains and its not over yet." Froome took the yellow jersey from South African cyclist Daryl Impey, his former training partner, who crawled over the line 7:50 behind in 35th spot. Contador finished the stage 1:45 behind Froome, Schleck trailed by 3:34 and the 36-year-old Evans was 4:13 adrift. "I wasnt expecting that much for today," Froome said. "The time gaps were so big, thats quite something. Were in a really good position." Given that Froome may attack again in Sundays second tortuous Pyrenean climbs -- featuring four straight category 1 ascents -- he could be well on the way to victory by Mondays rest day. "I think were well poised," Froome said. "Were going to have to fight for it but Im confident in the team we have." Saturdays 195-kilometre (121-mile) trek started from Castres and stayed flat for a long time before reaching spiking upwards. The Col de Pailheres came first -- a ferociously tough ascent for about nine miles at a gradient of eight per cent -- and then a shorter but even steeper ride to the finish at the ski resort of Ax 3 Domaines. Colombian rider Nairo Quintana broke away to launch a brutal attack up Pailheres, and only Frenchman Pierre Roland initially followed him, but Porte helped Froome steadily gain ground on them. Schleck, Evans and then Rolland were dropped with about 6 kilometres (4 miles) left to go up to Ax 3 Domaines as Contador desperately tried to stay on Portes wheel. Porte had tired Contador to the point that the Spaniard was even struggling to keep up with teammate Roman Kreuziger, so Froome decided it was time to finish him off. "I am little bit surprised," Froome said. "Maybe he (Contador) didnt have his best day today." Froome climbed with such blistering acceleration it almost looked like he was riding a time trial, blowing past Quintana and then Porte. "It may look easy on TV but it wasnt," Froome said. Still, he had time to ease up in the saddle, raise his arms and soak up victory in the blazing sun. Adidas NMD Kengät Miehet . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. Adidas Alphabounce Suomi . Jay Feely kicked a 41-yard field goal in overtime, and the Cardinals edged the Tennessee Titans 37-34 in overtime after blowing a 17-point lead late in the fourth quarter. http://www.nmdhalvalla.com/adidas-alphabounce-halvalla.html . -- Whether Jeremy Hill deserves a prominent role in LSUs offence this early in the season is a matter for debate. Adidas NMD R1 Miehet . Newcastle dominated in the early stages but City weathered the storm and then raised its game in extra time. Negredo broke the deadlock from close range after a simple move in the 99th minute before Dzeko took the ball round goalkeeper Tim Krul to seal the victory in the 105th. Adidas NMD Human Race Suomi . -- Matt Rupert scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the London Knights extended their win streak to nine games by defeating the Owen Sound Attack 4-3 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. ATLANTA -- Two Bengals newcomers showed they can provide offence to help the team as it chases an elusive post-season win. Free-agent signee Steven Jackson wasnt given enough blocking to make a splash in his first Atlanta home game. Giovani Bernard scored in his opening bid for a share of the Bengals carries, Josh Johnson led two second-quarter touchdown drives, and Cincinnati rolled to a 34-10 preseason win over Atlanta on Thursday night. Bernard, a second-round pick from North Carolina, played behind returning starter Benjarvus Green-Ellis and had 10 carries for 28 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown run. He added three catches for 16 yards. Some observers expect Bernard and Green-Ellis to share the job this season. "Well complement each other really well," Bernard said. "I think people got a little taste of it tonight." The Bengals are coming off a 10-6 season and their second straight loss in the first round of the playoffs. Their last playoff victory was in the 1990 season. Johnson made big plays as a passer and runner as he opened the competition with John Skelton for the Bengals backup quarterback job behind Andy Dalton. Johnson passed for 100 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown to Brandon Tate, and ran for 64 yards. "I was impressed overall with what he did out there," said Bengals coach Marvin Lewis of Johnson. "We know he can make plays with his legs, but throwing the ball is how a quarterback has to make a living in this league, and it was a real nice play to Brandon Tate." Johnson led the Bengals to 17 second-quarter points and another field goal in the third quarter. "I played pretty well," Johnson said. "I was able to move the ball." Following his scoring pass to Tate, Johnson directed a second touchdown drive capped by Bernards 1-yard run. Lined up deep in the I-formation, Bernard showed his explosiveness by quickly building his speed even before taking the handoff from Johnson and then running straight ahead for the touchdown with 2 seconds remaining in the half. Dane Sanzenbacher had a 71-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 36-yard scoring catch from Skelton. The game highlighted the Falcons concerns about their rebuilt offensive line. Jackson found little blocking as he had five carries for only 8 yards. Atlanta lost projected starting right tackle Mike Johnson, likely for the season, when he dislocated his left ankle and broke his left leg in Tuesdays practice. Lamar HHolmes, a second-year player who appeared in only one game in 2012, moved up.ddddddddddddUndrafted rookie Ryan Schraeder played behind Holmes. The Falcons released right tackle Tyson Clabo after the 2012 season and longtime starting centre Todd McClure retired. Coach Mike Smith said its too early to determine if the team needs to look for help on the line. "Were going to evaluate this tape and weve got to make that decision, but were not going to evaluate it on only one game," Smith said. The Falcons had a fast start. Matt Ryan was 3 for 3 for 52 yards on Atlantas opening drive, his first with Jackson at running back. Jackson, the former Rams standout, was signed to replace Michael Turner. On the first play of the game, Jackson ran straight ahead, found no room and cut right for 4 yards. It was his longest run of the night, but Ryan insisted it was a good beginning. "I thought he did great," Ryan said. "For all that we have in and all that weve put in as an offence, for him to pick up everything and to be out there and run the ball the way he did, Im excited about what hes going to bring to the team this year." Harry Douglas turned a screen pass from Ryan into a 42-yard gain, but the drive stalled when Geno Atkins stuffed Jackson on third-and-2 run from the 16, forcing the Falcons to settle for Matt Bryants 37-yard field goal. Ryan was 6 of 9 for 89 yards on three series. Dalton played only two possessions and went 3 of 7 for 36 yards. Dominique Davis, mostly ineffective after replacing Ryan in the first half, led a third-quarter touchdown drive capped by his 8-yard pass to Jason Snelling. Davis hit 8 of 19 for 78 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Skelton took over for Johnson late in the third quarter and led a 78-yard touchdown drive finished off with his 36-yard scoring pass to Sanzenbacher, a third-year player who had only one catch in 2012. He completed 4 of 5 passes for 72 yards. NOTES: Bengals CB Brandon Ghee, who intercepted a pass from Davis in the second quarter, left with a head injury. ... Bengals G Tanner Hawkinson was carted off the field midway through the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. ... Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez, participating in only portions of training camp as part of his agreement to postpone his retirement, was away with his family. ... Bengals DT Larry Black, who dislocated his right ankle during practice last month, cleared waivers and was placed on injured reserve. ' ' '