The stage concluded with the Tour's most infamous and celebrated climb, the Col du Tourmalet. The summit was reached first, fittingly, by the two best riders in the tour to date. It was a duel to behold among the mist, rain and hordes of screaming fans along the slope.
Schleck initiated the duel with less than 10 kilometres of the climb remaining, attempting to gain at least eight seconds on Contador, in the hope he would wear the yellow jersey out of the Pyrenees.
Contador stayed on the wheel of the man from Luxembourg until there was only several kilometres remaining. Contador then tried to accelerate away from the duel, but couldn't shake Schleck.
The remaing metres were still full of aggression, stamina and entertainment by the riders as neither rider looked like backing off.
Contador didn't challenge Schleck for the win as the pair reached the line. Instead, they patted each other on the back in a sign of genuine respect for each other.
That's what the tour is all about - a competition fought in good spirit and to the very end.
Forget all the debacle that unfolded with the Schleck mechanical incident several stages back, all is mended with what must called the most entertaining finish to a climb I've personally seen at any tour to date.
Schleck dropped his chain several stages back, and his misfortune was Contador's gain as he took the yellow jersey fresh off Schleck's shoulders.
The move of the defending champion to gain time on Schleck was seen by some as an insult to the sport and a sign of disrespect to the yellow jersey.
Others saw it as a fair move and that because there isn't a rule against it then there is no reason to criticse.
That's in the past.
The two riders did their job on the Tourmalet, and their congratulations towards each other after the stage couldn't have been any more genuine.
It was a fair race of two quality riders with different tactics.
The perserverence of Schleck was pitted against the patience of Contador, and although Schleck did not move into the overall tour lead, he was proud of his victory.
"To win here on the Tourmalet is a dream come true for me" he said.
"Only eight seconds separates me from the win, and anything can happen."
However, Schleck has a tough task ahead of him if he wants the Mailot Jeune at Paris.
He must overcome Contador in a time trial on the second-last stage, a format that suits the Spaniards racing style.
Many now believe that Contador is certain to remain on top til the end, but the man himself is not taking anything for granted.
"Well, I have to win it first. You can lose the tour at any moment" Contador noted after the stage, "Every day is a new story."
Behind the two leaders, Samuel Sanchez continued his excellent tour with his fifth placing on the stage keeping him in third place overall.
The Euskatel rider put a further eight valuable seconds between himself and Dennis Menchov of Rabobank in the hotly contested race for the final podium position at Paris. The pair are only separated by a mere 21 seconds.
But all eyes remain on the battle for overall honours.
The battle of the Tourmalet is one of those moments that will be talked about for years to come when people mention the Tour.
But there is plenty more to see yet.
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