The race of truth offers nowhere to hide.

On a normal stage, even when the bunch splits up, the riders can be anonymous. They are protected by those around them and by the course.

In a time trial there is nothing - just a barren landscape which the riders must negotiate on their own.

The race last night was going to be the final reshuffling of the deck. The GC contenders, the men who have made the headlines, were trying to defend their overall positions. Important work when what was offer for the riders. Contracts, bonuses, team points all hinge on the work they would do today.

This day was all about two riders in Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck. The end result was a win to Contador and brave effort by Schleck. The pundits out there in the ether will bemoan "chaingate" where Contador attacked Schleck in Luchon but, if anything, the result vindicates Contador's decision to go.

As Lance Armstrong was famous for saying, "no free gifts" so, too, is that Contador's approach. There are no two-wheeled sports out there that expect competitors to wait when a rival has mechanical failure. No free gifts.

Who's Hot ..

Fabian Cancellara - The World and Olympic Champion rode a beautiful time trial. Cancellara is an essay in speed and power and to record such a time after three weeks' racing is a magical effort.

Tony Martin - Was our pick for this stage and only 17 seconds down. Behind Martin the time gaps were enormous.

Denis Menchov - A great ride by Menchov as he piloted his Giant around the course taking huge chunks of time out those in front of him.  Menchov has ridden an attacking Tour and will be rewarded with a spot on the podium.

Alberto Contador - Did enough to secure the Yellow Jersey. Contador will be remembered for many things in the Tour but he maintained control and suffered through the time trial like never before to keep his hold on cycling's greatest prize.

Andy Schleck - Kept the cycling world on the edge of their seats in the half of the time trial. But when the wind came up in the back half of the course he struggled and lost his time. Still, at 25, Schleck will get better at the time trial and will/should win a Tour before he hits 30.

Stuey O'Grady - Rode himself into 13th on the Stage. The Captain on the road for the Saxo Bank Team is simply brilliant.

Who's Not ..

In vogue right now in cycling is Brad Wiggins bashing. While we have potted him a few times we have never doubted his class as a rider. You can't fluke a fourth spot in the Tour (2008). BUT he has had a total shocker and his salvation would have been a big result in the time trial instead it confirmed his preparation was not where it should have been.

The Giro d'Italia - If you want a good Tour de France you don't ride the Tour of Italy. The three big dogs who raced in Italy in May - Evans, Basso and Wiggins - were all well off the mark in July.

Samuel Sanchez - Got knocked off the podium yesterday. Will be rueing that time trial but should still be pleased with fourth.

Levi Leipheimer - Has had a Tour of missed opportunities. Leipheimer was plan B when Lance went down but he crumbled under the weight of leadership.

The Road Ahead ... Paris baby! Another Mark Cavendish parade.

Results - Stage 19

1     Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank      1:00:56

2    Tony Martin (Ger) Team HTC - Columbia    0:00:17

3    Bert Grabsch (Ger) Team HTC - Columbia    0:01:48

4    Ignatas Konovalovas (Ltu) Cervelo Test Team    0:02:34

5    David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin - Transitions    0:03:00    

6    Koos Moerenhout (Ned) Rabobank    0:03:03

7    Vasili Kiryienka (Blr) Caisse d'Epargne    0:03:10

8    Maarten Tjallingii (Ned) Rabobank    0:03:21

9    Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team    0:03:33

10    Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team    0:03:38

Points Classification (Green Jersey)

1      Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini      213      pts

2    Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team    203

3    Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team HTC - Columbia    197

4    Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne    167

5    Robbie McEwen (Aus) Team Katusha    162

Mountains Classification (Polka Dot Jersey)

1    Anthony Charteau (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom      143      pts

2    Christophe Moreau (Fra) Caisse d'Epargne    128

3    Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank    116

4    Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana    112

5    Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini    99

General Classification (Yellow Jersey)

1      Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana      89:16:27    

2      Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank    0:00:39

3    Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank    0:02:01

4    Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 0:03:40

5    Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto    0:06:54

6    Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank    0:09:31

7    Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions    0:10:15

8    Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha    0:11:37

9    Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas-Doimo    0:11:54

10    Christopher Horner (USA) Team Radioshack    0:12:02

11    Luis León Sánchez Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne    0:14:21

12    Ruben Plaza Molina (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne    0:14:29

13    Levi Leipheimer (USA) Team Radioshack    0:14:40

14    Andreas Klöden (Ger) Team Radioshack    0:16:36

15    Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale    0:16:59

16    Alexander Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana    0:17:46

17    Thomas Löfkvist (Swe) Sky Professional Cycling Team    0:20:46

18    Kevin De Weert (Bel) Quick Step    0:21:54

19    John Gadret (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale    0:24:04

20    Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team    0:26:37

23      Lance Armstrong (USA) Team Radioshack      0:39:20

24    Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team    0:39:24

26      Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team      0:50:27