Contador all but locks up Tour crown

ON THE BRINK: Alberto Contador, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, raises his arm as he crosses the finish Saturday during the 20th stage of the Tour de France. Contador maintained his lead going into today’s ceremonial final ride into Paris.

MONT VENTOUX, France – Alberto Contador all but sealed his second Tour de France title Saturday, keeping the yellow jersey after a punishing mountain ride in the next to last stage. And almost certain to join him on the podium is Lance Armstrong.

Armstrong, a seven-time champion in his first Tour since 2005, held off attacks from his closest challengers in the dreaded climb up Mont Ventoux to hold third place. The 37-year-old Texan arrived in a small group that included Contador, his Astana teammate, and second-place Andy Schleck of Luxembourg.

Armstrong, coming out of ...

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July, 2009