<p>Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck square off for the yellow jersey in Saturdays individual time trial to decide the overall winner at the 2010 Tour de France.</p><p>
</p><p>
The pair is divided only by eight seconds and theyve been all but equal in the epic battle across the Alps and Pyrénées. Everything will be decided in a long, flat 52km course from Bordeaux to Pauillac.</p><p>
</p><p>
I have to start with tranquility and give the maximum suffering tomorrow. After a year of thinking about the Tour de France, I am ready for this moment, Contador said. The last time trial in a three-week tour is more about strength than the specialists. Andy is very strong and hes the national champion of Luxembourg, so nothing is won yet. This Tour is far from over.</p><p>
</p><p>
Contador has worked hard on his time trial abilities, so much so that some say theyve seen his climbing power tail off slightly. Schleck has matched Contador in the mountains this year, but Contador is confident he will have an edge in the race against the clock.</p><p>
</p><p>
This year, I knew that the time trial would be important, especially one that is very long and without any climbs. If theres a lot of headwind and crosswinds, there could be some big differences, Contador continued. Tomorrow is truly going to be a difficult day, because Andy is strong. Hes been a very hard rival. I think it will be a hard fight all the way to the end. Starting last in the yellow jersey will give me an advantage because I will have the time references to him.</p><p>
</p><p>
Schleck knows he will be on the defensive. The pair starts with the second-smallest time margin in Tour history going into the final time trial. Only Greg Lemond and Claudio Chiappucci started with a smaller margin with 5 seconds in 1990.</p><p>
</p><p>
Contador is considered a better time trialist, but Schleck has worked hard to improve his abilities in the test against the clock.</p><p>
</p><p>
This will be the most important day of my cycling career, Schleck said. I feel good. I have nothing to lose. Hes good, but I am good, too. The final time trial is about strength and I feel strong. My dad used to race, and he said they would ride so hard they couldnt walk off the bike. Thats what I plan on doing tomorrow. I will give absolutely everything I have.</p><p>
</p><p>
Fridays 198km 18th stage from Salies-de-Béarn to Bordeaux ended as expected in a mass sprint. Mark Cavendish (GBR) won ahead of Julian Dean (NZL), with Alessandro Petacchi (ITA) crossing the line third to take the green jersey.</p>
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</p><p>
The pair is divided only by eight seconds and theyve been all but equal in the epic battle across the Alps and Pyrénées. Everything will be decided in a long, flat 52km course from Bordeaux to Pauillac.</p><p>
</p><p>
I have to start with tranquility and give the maximum suffering tomorrow. After a year of thinking about the Tour de France, I am ready for this moment, Contador said. The last time trial in a three-week tour is more about strength than the specialists. Andy is very strong and hes the national champion of Luxembourg, so nothing is won yet. This Tour is far from over.</p><p>
</p><p>
Contador has worked hard on his time trial abilities, so much so that some say theyve seen his climbing power tail off slightly. Schleck has matched Contador in the mountains this year, but Contador is confident he will have an edge in the race against the clock.</p><p>
</p><p>
This year, I knew that the time trial would be important, especially one that is very long and without any climbs. If theres a lot of headwind and crosswinds, there could be some big differences, Contador continued. Tomorrow is truly going to be a difficult day, because Andy is strong. Hes been a very hard rival. I think it will be a hard fight all the way to the end. Starting last in the yellow jersey will give me an advantage because I will have the time references to him.</p><p>
</p><p>
Schleck knows he will be on the defensive. The pair starts with the second-smallest time margin in Tour history going into the final time trial. Only Greg Lemond and Claudio Chiappucci started with a smaller margin with 5 seconds in 1990.</p><p>
</p><p>
Contador is considered a better time trialist, but Schleck has worked hard to improve his abilities in the test against the clock.</p><p>
</p><p>
This will be the most important day of my cycling career, Schleck said. I feel good. I have nothing to lose. Hes good, but I am good, too. The final time trial is about strength and I feel strong. My dad used to race, and he said they would ride so hard they couldnt walk off the bike. Thats what I plan on doing tomorrow. I will give absolutely everything I have.</p><p>
</p><p>
Fridays 198km 18th stage from Salies-de-Béarn to Bordeaux ended as expected in a mass sprint. Mark Cavendish (GBR) won ahead of Julian Dean (NZL), with Alessandro Petacchi (ITA) crossing the line third to take the green jersey.</p>
More...