The decisive attack could have come from Denis Menchov, who jumped away from the group with three km to go but the Russian's try was shortlived as he slipped on the wet road.
Olympic torch relay in Tibet
The Rabobank rider was quickly back on his bike and on the offensive again as Evans found it harder and harder to keep up the pace.
Sastre dealt Evans the death-blow with less than two km remaining.
Menchov and Gerolsteiner's Kohl followed the Spaniard but it was too much for Evans, who watched Schleck speed away on the very last part of the climb.
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