Saxo Bank's Andy Schleck (R) of Luxembourg sprints ahead of Astana's Alberto Contador of Spain to win the 17th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Pau and Tourmalet pass, July 22, 2010. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo]

Andy Schleck raced all the way to the top of the legendary Col du Tourmalet in the pivotal 17th stage but defending champion Alberto Contador of Spain virtually secured a third Tour de France title Thursday.

Contador crossed the line nearly shoulder to shoulder with the Luxembourg rider Schleck after the pair had broken clear in the final 10 kilometers.

Contador retained his eight-second lead in the overall standings and looks destined to ride into Paris on Sunday for the ceremonial final stage as the winner.

Schleck knew he needed to pick up time on Contador in the last stage in the Pyrenees but could not break the Spaniard.

They completed the 174 kilometers (108.1 miles) from Pau to the peak of the Col du Tourmalet in 5 hours, 3 minutes, 29 seconds.

Third place went to Spain's Joaquin Rodriguez, who pulled away from the rest of the chasing group and finished on his own, 1 minute, 18 seconds back.

Time gaps are still expected to change in Saturday's time trial, but that is Contador's specialty. Schleck had acknowledged before Thursday's stage that he would need to pick up at least a minute on Contador if he was to have a chance of winning the Tour.

The 18th stage covers a 198-kilometer (123-mile) virtually flat ride from Salies-de-Bearn to Bordeaux.

Thor Hushovd of Norway holds the green jersey of points leader ahead of Italy's Alessandro Pettachi, with Mark Cavendish of Britain also in the hunt for the stage win and hoping for the green jersey when the riders reach Paris.

The Tour finishes in Paris on Sunday.