Jan Ullrich appears to have given up winning this year's Tour de France by pledging his support to T-Mobile team-mate and fellow German Andreas Kloeden.
Ullrich was tipped to rival five-time champion Lance Armstrong but has instead been overshadowed by Kloeden.
"Kloedi has been a revelation. I hope he can maintain his current level all the way to Paris," Ullrich said.
"He was clearly the better man in the Pyrenees, so I've given him carte blanche in the Alps."
While Ullrich struggled in the Pyrenees, losing more than five minutes to Armstrong, Kloeden lost just two minutes to the American and now lies fourth overall.
Kloeden, one of Ullrich's most loyal assistants, said he still considered himself a team-mate rather than a leader.
 |  If I think he has the stronger legs then he must go for it alone |
"I haven't written Jan off. The Tour is only over when we reach Paris and we still have a hard week's racing ahead of us," he said.
"Jan can still make up time in the Alps and in the mountain time trial in particular. I still think that he can make the podium in Paris, but the exact step remains to be seen."
The 29-year-old, who won Olympic bronze in 2000, played down his chances of a podium place.
"I'm very happy with how the Tour has gone for me so far. I will do all I can to stay with the leaders," he added.
A top-10 finish is possible, but my first priority is still to ride for Jan. He is still our captain."
The Tour resumes on Tuesday when the riders head into the Alps.
MMIX
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