Alberto Contador leads, Lance Armstrong in 3rd place as 19th stage of Tour de France begins

Contador leads as 19th stage of Tour begins

BOURGOIN-JALLIEU, France — Alberto Contador looks poised for overall victory as Tour de France riders have set off on a relatively flat 19th stage.

Lance Armstrong has a tenuous hold on third overall, though he isn’t expected to lose ground during Friday’s 110.6-mile trek from Bourgoin-Jallieu to Aubenas in eastern France.

The 26-year-old Contador nearly locked up victory with a dominant performance to win the final time trial on Thursday. The last shakeout comes Saturday in an uphill finish at the dreaded Mont Ventoux.

The race ends Sunday in Paris.