Stage: A 102.8-mile mostly flat stage from Roanne to Montlucon that favored sprinters.

Winner: French rider Sylvain Chavanel captured the stage in a sprint finish with countryman Jeremy Roy, who was second. Both completed the distance in 3 hours, 37 minutes, 9 seconds. Germany's Gerald Ciolek was 1:13 behind in third.

Yellow Jersey: Spanish rider Carlos Sastre kept the overall lead, ahead of Team CSC teammate Frank Schleck of Luxembourg by 1:24. Bernhard Kohl of Austria is third, 9 seconds back. Sastre's main rival, Cadel Evans of Australia, is fourth, 1:34 off the lead heading into today's decisive time trial.

Quote of the day: "Tomorrow will be the opportunity of my life." -- Sastre, whose previous best Tour finish was third.

Next stage: Today's 20th stage is a 32.9-mile time trial from Cerilly to Saint-Amand-Montrond. Evans is favored to beat Sastre, but he must finish 1 minute, 35 seconds ahead of him to take the yellow jersey.

ASSOCIATED PRESS