LA TOUSSUIRE, France (AP) -- Try as they might, rivals of Bradley Wiggins can't take his yellow jersey.
The three-time Olympic track champion, looking to become Britain's first Tour de France winner, beat back repeated attacks Thursday in a critical Alpine stage won by ace French climber Pierre Rolland.
As Stage 11 began, Wiggins' main challengers were planning to unsettle him in the 92-mile ride along three big climbs from the 1992 Winter Olympics town of Albertville to the ski station at La Toussuire.
One crucial moment, possibly with the title in the balance, came when defending champion Cadel Evans tried to shake Wiggins, about halfway up the 6,750-foot Croix de Fer (Iron Cross) pass.
The Australian caught up with BMC teammate Tejay Van Garderen, a promising American rider, and was able to chisel out a lead of about 15 seconds on Wiggins.
But the Sky train of riders, in a line and pedaling almost in sync, powered with a steady rhythm to escort Wiggins back up front, and gradually erased the Australian's getaway about three miles later.
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The pack passes during the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129 miles) with start in Vise and finish in Tournai, Belgium, Monday July 2, 2012. AP / Laurent Cipriani
Bradley Wiggins of Britain, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, and teammate Christopher Froome of Britain speed downhill during the 10th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 194.5 kilometers (120.9 miles) with start in Macon and finish in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, France, Wednesday July 11, 2012. AP / Laurent Cipriani
A supporter of the British riders cheers as Bradley Wiggins of Britain, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, left, passes during the 10th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 194.5 kilometers (120.9 miles) with start in Macon and finish in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, France, Wednesday July 11, 2012. AP / Christophe Ena
A cycling fan carries a "No Doping" sign as Bradley Wiggins of Britain, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, left, passes with the pack through the village of Corlier during the 10th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 194.5 kilometers (120.9 miles) with start in Macon and finish in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, France, Wednesday July 11, 2012. AP / Laurent Cipriani
Bradley Wiggins of Britain, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, rides to win the 9th stage of the Tour de France cycling race, an individual time trial over 41.5 kilometers (25.8 miles) with start in Arc-et-Senans and finish in Besancon, France, Monday July 9, 2012. AP / Laurent Cipriani
Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland strains in the last meters of the 9th stage of the Tour de France cycling race, an individual time trial over 41.5 kilometers (25.8 miles) with start in Arc-et-Senans and finish in Besancon, France, Monday July 9, 2012. AP / Laurent Rebours
Bradley Wiggins of Britain, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, rides in the pack as it passes a sawing mill during the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 157.5 kilometers (98.5 miles) with start in Belfort, France, and finish in Porrentruy, Switzerland, Sunday July 8, 2012. AP / Laurent Cipriani
Team director Marc Madiot, left, celebrates in his car as Thibaut Pinot of France crosses the finish line to win the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 157.5 kilometers (98.5 miles) with start in Belfort, France, and finish in Porrentruy, Switzerland, Sunday July 8, 2012. AP / Laurent Rebours
Team Sky with Mark Cavendish of Britain in fourth position, and new overall leader Bradley Wiggins of Britain in fifth position, rides during the seventh stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 199 kilometers (123.6 miles) with start in Tomblaine and finish in La Planche des Belles Filles, France, Saturday July 7, 2012. AP / Christophe Ena
Tejay van Garderen of the US, wearing the best young rider's white jersey, stops roadside as the pack passes during the seventh stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 199 kilometers (123.6 miles) with start in Tomblaine and finish in La Planche des Belles Filles, France, Saturday July 7, 2012. AP / Laurent Cipriani
The pack passes a field of sunflowers during the seventh stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 199 kilometers (123.6 miles) with start in Tomblaine and finish in La Planche des Belles Filles, France, Saturday July 7, 2012. AP / Laurent Cipriani
Vicenzo Nibali of Italy, fourth place, Stage winner Christopher Froome of Britain, Bradley Wiggings of Britain, third place, and Cadel Evans of Australia, second place, from left to right, climb towards La Planche des Belles Filles during the seventh stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 199 kilometers (123.6 miles) with start in Tomblaine and finish in La Planche des Belles Filles, France, Saturday July 7, 2012. Rear right is Rein Taaramae of Estonia. AP / Christophe Ena
Christopher Froome of Britain crosses the finish line to win the seventh stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 199 kilometers (123.6 miles) with start in Tomblaine and finish in La Planche des Belles Filles, France, Saturday July 7, 2012. AP / Laurent Rebours
Vicenzo Nibali of Italy, fourth place, Stage winner Christopher Froome of Britain, Bradley Wiggins of Britain, third place, and Cadel Evans of Australia, second place, from left to right, climb towards La Planche des Belles Filles during the seventh stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 199 kilometers (123.6 miles) with start in Tomblaine and finish in La Planche des Belles Filles, France, Saturday July 7, 2012. Rear right is Rein Taaramae of Estonia. AP / Christophe Ena
Bradley Wiggins of Britain, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, celebrates on the podium of the seventh stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 199 kilometers (123.6 miles) with start in Tomblaine and finish in La Planche des Belles Filles, France, Saturday July 7, 2012. AP / Laurent Rebours
The pack rides through the woods during the sixth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129 miles) with start in Epernay and finish in Metz, France, Friday July 6, 2012. AP / Christophe Ena
Grega Bole of Slovenia, standing left, points to his teammate Davide Vigano of Italy, while doctors tend to Wouter Poels of The Netherlands after a crash in thew pack at some 20 kilometers from he finish line during the sixth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129 miles) with start in Epernay and finish in Metz, France, Friday July 6, 2012. AP / Laurent Cipriani
Peter Sagan of Slovakia, wearing the best sprinter's green jersey, crosses the finish line ahead of Andre Greipel of Germany, right, and Matthew Harley Goss of Australia, left, to win the sixth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129 miles) with start in Epernay and finish in Metz, France, Friday July 6, 2012. AP / Christophe Ena
The pack rides under menacing skies during the sixth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129 miles) with start in Epernay and finish in Metz, France, Friday July 6, 2012. AP / Laurent Cipriani
The pack passes pine trees during the sixth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129 miles) with start in Epernay and finish in Metz, France, Friday July 6, 2012. AP / Christophe Ena
Workers of champagne houses celebrate with a glass of champagne as cyclists in the pack pass through Tours-sur-Marne during the sixth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129 miles) with start in Epernay and finish in Metz, France, Friday July 6, 2012. AP / Laurent Cipriani
The pack passes a church in Rouen during the start of the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 196.5 kilometers (122 miles) with start in Rouen and finish in Saint-Quentin, France, Thursday July 5, 2012. AP / Christophe Ena
Bystanders look at Jonathan Cantwell of Australia who crashed in the last kilometers of the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 196.5 kilometers (122 miles) with start in Rouen and finish in Saint-Quentin, France, Thursday July 5, 2012. AP / Joel Saget
The pack passes poppies in a field during the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 196.5 kilometers (122 miles) with start in Rouen and finish in Saint-Quentin, France, Thursday July 5, 2012. AP / Christophe Ena
Residents of Lyons-la-Foret watch the pack pass during the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 196.5 kilometers (122 miles) with start in Rouen and finish in Saint-Quentin, France, Thursday July 5, 2012. AP / Christophe Ena
The pack with Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, sitting upright on his bicycle, passes poppies in a field during the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 196.5 kilometers (122 miles) with start in Rouen and finish in Saint-Quentin, France, Thursday July 5, 2012. AP / Laurent Cipriani
A teammate of Andre Greipel of Germany, rear, celebrates as Greipel, center, crosses the finish line ahead of Alessandro Petacchi of Italy, in pink and blue jersey, and Peter Sagan of Slovakia, far left, to win the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 214.5 kilometers (133.3 miles) with start in Abbeville and finish in Rouen, France, Wednesday July 4, 2012. AP / Laurent Rebours
Yukiya Arashiro of Japan passes a bridhe in Dieppe during the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 214.5 kilometers (133.3 miles) with start in Abbeville and finish in Rouen, France, Wednesday July 4, 2012. Arashiro was awarded the most combative rider of the stage. AP / Laurent Cipriani
Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, rides in the pack as it passes a bridge in Dieppe during the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 214.5 kilometers (133.3 miles) with start in Abbeville and finish in Rouen, France, Wednesday July 4, 2012. AP / Laurent Cipriani
Three men cheer from atop a wind turbine as the pack passes during the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 214.5 kilometers (133.3 miles) with start in Abbeville and finish in Rouen, France, Wednesday July 4, 2012. AP / Christophe Ena
Mark Cavendish of Britain sits on the road after crashing in the last kilometers of the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 214.5 kilometers (133.3 miles) with start in Abbeville and finish in Rouen, France, Wednesday July 4, 2012. AP / Joel Saget
A fan of French cyclist Thomas Voeckler stands on top of his car during the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 214.5 kilometers (133.3 miles) with start in Abbeville and finish in Rouen, France, Wednesday July 4, 2012. Voeckler was distanced by the pack in the third stage and lost considerable time in the overall standings because of a knee injury. AP / Christophe Ena
The pack speeds downhill towards Sainte-Marguerite-sur-Mer as the Channel is seen in the background during the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 214.5 kilometers (133.3 miles) with start in Abbeville and finish in Rouen, France, Wednesday July 4, 2012. AP / Christophe Ena
A fisheye view shows spectators as they take pictures from a window of the pack passing through Aire-sur-la-Lys during the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 197 kilometers (122.4 miles) with start in Orchies and finish in Boulogne-sur-Mer, northern France, Tuesday July 3, 2012. AP / Christophe Ena
The breakaway group with Michael Morkov of Denmark, wearing the best climber's dotted jersey, left, Giovanni Bernaudeau of France, second left, Andriy Grivko of the Ukraine, second right, Ruben Perez Moreno of Spain, right, and Sebastien Minard of France, center rear, rides under menacing skies during the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 197 kilometers (122.4 miles) with start in Orchies and finish in Boulogne-sur-Mer, northern France, Tuesday July 3, 2012. AP / Laurent Cipriani
Peter Sagan of Slovakia celebrates as he crosses the finish line ahead of Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, second right, Peter Velits of Slovakia, thiird from right, and Edvald Boasson Hagen of Norway, second left, to win the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 197 kilometers (122.4 miles) with start in Orchies and finish in Boulogne-sur-Mer, northern France, Tuesday July 3, 2012. AP / Laurent Cipriani
The pack climbs towards the Citadel in Namur during the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129 miles) with start in Vise and finish in Tournai, Belgium, Monday July 2, 2012. AP / Christophe Ena
Mark Cavendish of Britain, right with yellow helmet, crosses the finish line ahead of Andre Greipel of Germany, second left, and Matthew Harley Gross of Australia, far left, to win the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129 miles) with start in Vise and finish in Tournai, Belgium, Monday July 2, 2012. AP / Laurent Rebours
The pack passes farm fields during the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129 miles) with start in Vise and finish in Tournai, Belgium, Monday July 2, 2012. AP / Christophe Ena
Spectators watch the start of the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129 miles) with start in Vise and finish in Tournai, Belgium, Monday July 2, 2012. AP / Christophe Ena
Mark Cavendish of Britain, rear right with yellow helmet, pushes his bicycle over the finish line ahead of Andre Greipel of Germany, front, and Matthew Harley Gross of Australia, rear left, to win the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129 miles) with start in Vise and finish in Tournai, Belgium, Monday July 2, 2012. AP / Peter Dejong
The pack passes Ouffet under a menacing sky during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 198 kilometers (123 miles) with start in Liege and finish in Seraing, Belgium, Sunday July 1, 2012. AP / Christophe Ena
Riders cast shadows on the road during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 198 kilometers (123 miles) with start in Liege and finish in Seraing, Belgium, Sunday July 1, 2012. AP / Laurent Cipriani
The pack passes through the fields during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 198 kilometers (123 miles) with start in Liege and finish in Seraing, Belgium, Sunday July 1, 2012. AP / Laurent Cipriani
The pack passes through Theux during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 198 kilometers (123 miles) with start in Liege and finish in Seraing, Belgium, Sunday July 1, 2012. AP / Christophe Ena
Radioshack-Nissan team mechanics prepare the bicycles of the riders prior to a training ride near Francorchamps, Belgium, Friday June 29, 2012. The Tour de France cycling race starts on Saturday June 30 with the prologue, an individual time trial over 6,4 kilometers (4 miles) with start and finish in Liege, Belgium. AP / Laurent Cipriani
A sign reading "Liege" is seen at left as a mechanic works on a bicycle of the BMC cycling team of 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans of Australia at a hotel in Liege, Belgium, Thursday June 28, 2012. The Tour de France cycling race starts on Saturday June 30 with the prologue, an individual time trial over 6,4 kilometers (4 miles) with start and finish in Liege, Belgium. AP / Laurent Cipriani
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