Carlos Sastre surprisingly held on to the yellow jersey in a tight and tense final time trial today. Pre-Tour favourite Cadel Evans couldn’t overcome Sastre’s lead despite being on paper the better time trailer. Sastre had the ride of is life to only lose 30 seconds to Evans and a similar amount to Denis Mechnov, the Rabobank rider managing 6^th place on the stage to take 4^th overall. Christian VandeVelde finished 4^th on the stage to take 5^th overall in what is a great Tour debut for Garmin-Chipotle with Scot David Millar finishing 5^th on the stage to top things off.

The day belonged to CSC-Saxo bank who not only secured the maillot jeune but also the white young riders jersey for Andy Schleck. Former yellow jersey holder, Frank Schleck, was passed by his team mate Sastre before the finish but has had a great Tour to finish 6^th overall. Fellow team rider Cancellara finished second on the stage to Gerolsteiner’s Stefan Schumacher finishing a great Tour for the team.

Gerolsteiner have had a successful Tour too with Kohl finishing a probable third (baring disaster tomorrow on the cruise into Paris) and claiming the polka dot climbers jersey, promising news for the team which is chasing a new sponsor.

Tomorrow, Sunday is the final run into Paris, traditionally a day for no attacks on the yellow jersey with a sprint finish for the honour of the final stage win. Its unlikely the green jersey will change hands either with Oscar Friere leading Zabel and Hushovd by enough to be safe baring a catastrophe.