Riders embark on Tour de France time trial with Alberto Contador expected to seal 3rd victory

Riders embark on Tour de France time trial

PAUILLAC, France — The riders of the Tour de France have embarked on the penultimate stage of the race, a 32.3-mile time trial that will fix the final positions on the podium.

Defending champion and leader Alberto Contador will be the last to race and is expected to clinch his overall victory. He could also win the stage.

Among others looking for a stage win in Saturday’s stage is world time trial champion Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland. Riding early, Cancellara set a time of 1 hour, 56 seconds. Contador was expected to set off shortly after 10 a.m. EDT.

(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow. Corrects start time for Contador.)