Contador shows he's the best on all terrains

Overall leader Alberto Contador took a giant step towards his second Tour de France victory when he humbled the time-trial specialists over 40.5-km to take the 18th stage around the lake of Annecy yesterday.

The Spaniard, who outshone Olympic champion Fabian Cancellara by three seconds, now leads his nearest rival for final victory, Luxembourg's Andy Schleck, by four minutes and 11 seconds, a comfortable gap three days before the finish in Paris.

Contador won in 48 minutes and 30 seconds, taking his second stage in this Tour after the mountain ride to Verbier in Switzerland last Sunday.

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.

Yet the seven times champion was relatively disappointing in what used to be his favourite discipline, finishing 16th, 1:30 behind Contador.

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

"I heard that Lance was launching a new outfit but I just want to concentrate on finishing the Tour," Contador told reporters.

"I will think about my future afterward," the 26-year-old said.

Contador's performance was all the more impressive as most of the Tour favourites, who started after Cancellara, faced a headwind in the finale.

The 2007 Tour champion, who also holds the Spanish time-trial title, confirmed he was not only the best climber in the peloton, but the best all-rounder in the race.

"I was really not expecting this.

I was tired from yesterday's efforts," said Contador, who finished second in the big mountain stage in Le Grand Bornand on Wednesday.

Andy Schleck conceded it would be almost impossible to topple Contador, even though the Luxembourg champion limited the damage to finish 21st, 1:45 off the pace.

"Once again, Mr Contador surprised me. He rode a formidable time-trial. He proved he was the best," said the Saxo Bank leader.