Contador Holds on to Win Final Time Trial

By Paul Sherwen
July 23, 2009

Annecy hosted the final time trial of this year's Tour de France after two big mountains stages in the Alps. It was extremely important, especially for Lance Armstrong, who was trying to use this stage to climb back into a podium position.

The early time was set by Olympic Time Trial champion Fabian Cancellara, who started early in the day. We had to wait for the last of the riders to start for anyone to threaten him. In fact, Contador was the first serious threat to the Swiss champion and set the fastest time at all the time checks except one, holding on to win by just three seconds.

Looking at the times, I can see that Cancellara did a phenomenal job. He was 46 seconds behind the Spaniard with seven miles to go and just three seconds behind him at the line. He must have been touching 60 km an hour over the last part of the course, but it wasn't enough. Frank Schleck came off worst in this timed test as he dropped from third overall to sixth and maybe lost hopes of a podium finish in Paris.

The final podium, though, is not decided and will not be until the race climbs the Mont Ventoux on Saturday. Schleck will do everything within his power to try and get onto the podium alongside his brother, Andy. In order to do that he needs to dislodge Lance Armstrong, which will not be an easy task.

Tomorrow's stage returns to the flat lands and should offer some breakaway experts a chance for a stage win.