TOUR DE FRANCE \ 20th Stage

Stage: A 104-mile stage from Montelimar to the Mont Ventoux, with a 13-mile final ascent at an average gradient of 7.6 percent.

Winner: Juan Manuel Garate. The Spaniard, who entered the stage more than 11‚Ñ2 hours behind race leader Alberto Contador in the overall standings, clocked 4 hours, 39 minutes, 21 seconds, holding off fellow breakaway rider Tony Martin of Germany by 3 seconds. Andy Schleck, who retained second overall, finished third, 38 seconds back — in the same time as Contador. Lance Armstrong was fifth, 41 seconds behind Garate, and Frank Schleck was sixth, 43 seconds back.

Yellow Jersey: Contador, who all but sealed his second Tour de France victory. He leads Schleck by 4:11. Seven-time winner Armstrong is third overall, 5:21 behind his Astana teammate.

Quote of the Day: “I think his performance this year would have beaten my performances in 01, and 04, and 05” — Lance Armstrong, comparing Contador to his best years on the Tour.

Next stage: Today’s last stage is a largely ceremonial 102-mile trek from Montereau-Fault-Yonne to the Champs-Elysees in Paris.

Associated Press