TdF Stage 19: Individual Time Trial

Wow, Leipheimer really poured on the steam today in the Individual Time Trial averaging 33 mph! This gives him the fourth fastest time trial speed in the history of the Tour de France and his first career win of the Tour de France in today's stage, bringing him within seconds of race leader Alberto Contador. Although one more stage remains in the 94th Tour de France, the final ride to the Champs-Élysées in Paris is considered almost ceremonial for the GC contenders and the Yellow Jersey is foreordained for Contador, though with less than a minute between 1st and 3rd place we'll see what kind of action happens tomorrow.

David Millar had hoped to win today's time trial, but as he came off the starting ramp his carbon fiber Mavic TT wheel flew apart. He threw is bike down and got another one, but this mechanical failure cost Millar some time.

Results:

1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 1.02.44 (53.068 km/h)
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 0.51
3 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne 1.56
4 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 2.01
5 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 2.18
6 José Ivan Gutierrez Palacios (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 2.27
7 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 2.33
8 Oscar Pereiro Sio (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 2.36
9 Leif Hoste (Bel) Predictor - Lotto 2.48
10 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 2.50

GC:

1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 87.09.18
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 0.23
3 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 0.31
4 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC 7.08
5 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 8.17
6 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 11.37
7 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team 12.18
8 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 12.30
9 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 14.14
10 Oscar Pereiro Sio (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 14.25

Elsewhere:

• Bob Roll: Tour of Redemption
  
• Phil Ligget: Standing together
  
• Paul Sherwen: Epic:

  That was an epic time trial today through the Cognac region of France. It was billed as the battle between Albert Contador and Cadel Evans- which it was but that would do the race an injustice.
  
  Leipheimer was superb, riding the race of his life, admitting that he had always dreamed of winning the time trial stage, this afternoon that was dream achieved - added to that was his other dream of a podium finish at the Tour.

  
  
• Versus Stage 19 daily videos
  
• Steephill.TV Stage 19 report
  
• Cyclingnews Stage 19 report and photos.
  
• TdF Blog: Leipheimer dominant.
  
• Spare Cycles Stage 19 report:

  Discovery Channel had an amazing day with Lance in attendance. They finished 1-4-5-7 on the stage and will head into the final Paris stage tomorrow in 1-3 overall. Levi will start 8" behind Evans, so the final standings are not settled yet. Contador has a 23" lead and should be able to cruise to the top podium spot tomorrow.

  
  
• What's the 94th TdF without doping news? Though Andreas Kloden claims he's never doped, he plans to retire from cycling because he fears prison if "somebody pours something banned in my salad and I test positive." Uh huh.

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