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.
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.
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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.
Contador (Astana), though, is the more competent rider against the clock ufffd finishing 42 seconds and 116 places ahead of Schleck in the Tour's opening 8.9km prologue ufffd and the Spaniard now appears to have one hand on a third Tour title in four years.
However, Contador is guarding against complacency and insisted the maillot jaune is not yet won.
"What was most important to me today was not to lose time and also that I had a very good feeling throughout the entire stage," said Contador, who won the 2007 and 2009 Tours.
"I'm still wanting and wishing to win my third Tour de France ufffd 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."
Schleck on Monday conceded the yellow jersey after his chain slipped at a crucial moment and Contador took advantage ufffd contrary to usual etiquette in cycling. Schleck on Monday conceded the yellow jersey after his chain slipped at a crucial moment and Contador took advantage - contrary to usual etiquette in cycling.
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