Contador keeps lead in punishing mountain stage to all but lock up Tour de France title

Contador keeps yellow jersey at Tour

MONT VENTOUX, France — Alberto Contador has all but locked up the Tour de France title, keeping the yellow jersey after a punishing mountain ride in the next to last stage.

The final leg is Sunday, a ceremonial ride into Paris.

Lance Armstrong held third place overall Saturday after finishing in a small group that included Contador and second-place Andy Schleck of Luxembourg.

Juan Manuel Garate of Spain won the 20th stage, which finished with a grueling climb up Mont Ventoux.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

MONTELIMAR, France (AP) — Tour de France riders are off on the last crucial stage, heading for a finish on the dreaded Mont Ventoux as winds swept wildly across its peak.

Alberto Contador has a firm grip on the yellow jersey. The main question is whether seven-time champion Lance Armstrong can hold on to third place.

Saturday’s 103.8-mile Stage 20 from Montelimar to Mont Ventoux finishes with a steep, 13.1-mile ascent.

Contador is vying for his second Tour victory. He leads second-place Andy Schleck of Luxembourg by 4 minutes, 11 seconds, while Armstrong is 5:21 back.

Sunday’s ride to the Champs-Elysees will mark the finish of the three-week Tour and is usually a ceremonial stage.