Mostly flat 18th stage of Tour de France begins, Wiggins in yellow as Paris nears

By Abbey Westbury
July 20 2012 08:08 AM

CP19469625 — Stage winner Alejandro Valverde of Spain celebrates on the podium of the 17th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 143.5 kilometers (89.2 miles) with start in Bagneres-de-Luchon and finish in Peyragudes, Pyrenees region, France, Thursday July 19, 2012. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

BLAGNAC, France – Tour de France riders are off on the 18th stage with Bradley Wiggins likely to hold the yellow jersey through the mostly flat trek through central France.

Friday’s ride takes the pack along 222.5 kilometres from Blagnac to Brive-la-Gaillarde, setting up the last time trial a day later and the finish on the Champs-Elysees in Paris on Sunday.

Wiggins, looking to become Britain’s first Tour winner, and took a major step on Thursday toward victory by holding off challengers over the last big mountain test.

Overall, Wiggins has a 2-minute, 5-second lead over Sky teammate Christopher Froome in second. Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali trails third, 2:41 behind. Defending champion Cadel Evans of Australia is sixth, 9:57 back.

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