Tour de France 2010: Stage 19 in pictures

Here we are in Bordeaux for the start of stage 19, the penultimate stage in the 2010 Tour de France. This is the second time-trial in this year's Tour and it will decide who wins the yellow jersey overall. The competitors will race along a 52km course to Pauillac one-by-one against the clock Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Bradley Wiggins waits for his turn at the start gate. He puts in a good performance, finishing in ninth place (3 mins and 33 secs behind the eventual winner) Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Fabian Cancellara of Team Saxo Bank speeds away from the start gate. He keeps up a fast pace and wins the stage with a time of 1hr and 56secs Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

But the critical action is between the day's last two riders, Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador, who are placed second and first in the overall standings. Contador, the yellow jersey holder, crosses himself before he heads off. He's eight seconds ahead of Schleck going into this stage and, as a strong time trialist, must be confident of extending that lead Photograph: Jean-pierre Muller/AFP/Getty Images

Schleck, wearing the white jersey of Best Young Rider, began the course shortly before Contador and is desperately trying to claw back the deficit Photograph: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images

Contador powers through the countryside ... Photograph: Guillaume Horcajuelo/EPA

The roadside fans cheer him on Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Contador crosses the line in 1hr 6mins and 39secs, which means that he finishes 35th on the day but, more importantly, he finishes 31 seconds faster than Schleck, extending his general classification lead Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Schleck knows that his dream of winning the Tour is all but over and is comforted by a member of his team Photograph: Nathalie Magniez/AFP/Getty Images

Contador celebrates on the podium knowing that only a crash tomorrow in Paris will deny him his third Tour victory. He goes into the race with a lead of 39 seconds over Schleck - which coincidently is exactly the same amount of time he gainied over his rival in controversial fashion on stage 15 Photograph: Laurent Rebours/AP