Contador takes win

Alberto Contador powered to victory in the individual time trial in the 18th stage of the Tour de France to retain a vice-like grip on the yellow jersey on a day Lance Armstrong returned to the podium positions.

Astana rider Contador finished three seconds faster than second-placed Fabian Cancellara in a reversal of the positions from the time trial on day one of the Tour, the Spaniard doing the 40.5 kilometres trek around Lake Annecy in 48 minutes and 30 seconds.