Overall leader Alberto Contador pulled off the victory of the 18th stage in the time trial around the Annecy on Thursday.

The Spaniard won in 48 minutes and 30 seconds, outshing Olympic champion Fabian Cancellara in the 40.5km race by three seconds. He now leads his nearest rival for final victory, Luxembourg's Andy Schleck, by four minutes and 11 seconds.

It was Contador's second stage win in this Tour after the mountain ride to Verbier in Switzerland last Sunday.

American Lance Armstrong made it back on the overall podium, 5:25 behind his Astana team mate, ousting Andy Schleck's brother Frank from third place.

The seven times champion finished 16th in this stage.

Armstrong announced as the stage was finishing that he would start a new team next season sponsored by electronics wholesalers RadioShack.

(Xinhua News Agency July 24, 2009)