ALBERTO CONTADOR was poised for victory in Tour de France last night after he narrowly held on to the yellow jersey in the penultimate stage despite a thrilling effort from two of his closest rivals.

The 24-year-old Spaniard had started stage 19, the 55.5km individual time trial between Cognac and Angouleme, leading the Australian rider Cadel Evans by 1min 50sec, but saw his advantage cut to just 23sec after a gutsy display by the Predictor-Lotto rider.

“I’ve done all I could,” said Evans. “I gave up too much time [55 seconds] in the ascent of the Col de Peyresourde [stage 15], that is where I lost the Tour.”

The stage was won by the American Levi Leipheimer as the Discovery Channel team rider, lying third overnight, recorded a time of 1hr 2min 44sec to move to within 31sec of Contador and 8sec of Evans.

Despite the closeness of the margins, it would be a break with Tour tradition if any of his rivals attempted to attack Contador on today’s final stage to Paris.

The riders ride in ceremonial fashion until they reach the Champs-Elysées in the capital where racing begins, usually ending in a bunch sprint where little time is won or lost.