L'ALPE D'HUEZ, France, July 18 - American Floyd Landis took the Tour de France's yellow jersey after riding conservatively on the ascent to the Alpe d'Huez on Tuesday and has no intention of changing his tactics.

The Phonak rider finished fourth on the 187-km 15th stage from gap to l'Alpe d'Huez after marking German Andreas Kloeden all the way to the uphill finish.

Landis, a former team mate of seven-times Tour winner Lance Armstrong, leads the overall standings by 10 seconds from Spaniard Oscar Pereiro Sio.

"It would have been just as well if Pereiro had kept the jersey but I had to follow Kloeden," Landis told a news conference.

"I will be conservative for the next two days. I don't feel like I have to win a stage.

"Cycling is a tactical game. To my way of thinking, I would save my team as much as possible.

"With that in mind, I will do everything I can do to ride conservatively," he added.

The American, who joined the Phonak team in 2005, attacked once but had no intention of breaking clear.

"The only reason I attacked was to catch (team mate) Axel Merckx who was waiting for me," he said.

"I felt well today. I did not feel it was necessary to put more time between me and my rivals."

Landis consequently failed to eliminate his main rivals with Kloeden crossing the line just behind his wheel and Spaniard Carlos Sastre conceding 25 seconds.

Even Australian Cadel Evans, who was dropped midway through the ascent, is still in the race. The Davitamon Lotto rider lost 1:39 to Landis.

The American has still to tackle two Alps stages, including Wednesday's from Bourg d'Oisans to La Toussuire.

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