ALBERTO CONTADOR emerged from a mist-shrouded Col du Tourmalet yesterday with his Tour de France race lead intact and one foot on the top of the Paris podium.
Although Andy Schleck, his rival for the race leader’s yellow jersey, won the 174-kilometre 17th stage from Pau, Contador managed to sit on the Luxembourg rider’s wheel to the top of the 18.6-kilometre Pyrenean peak to retain his eight-second lead ahead of Sunday’s finish on the Champs Elysees.
Saturday’s 52km time-trial between Bordeaux and Pauillac represents the final chance for Schleck (Team Saxo Bank) to recover time.
Contador (Astana), though, is the more competent rider against the clock – finishing 42 seconds and 116 places ahead of Schleck in the Tour’s opening 8.9km prologue – and the Spaniard now appears to have one hand on a third Tour title in four years.
Contador is guarding against complacency saying: “What was most important to me today was not to lose time and also that I had a very good feelings throughout the entire stage.
“I’m still wanting and wishing to win my third Tour de France – I’m not yet there.
“I still have to reach Paris and it’s not easy. We have a very long and tough time-trial on Saturday.”
