Going into the final time trial, never before has the Tour de Francecome down to six riders still having a chance of standing on one of the three podium spots in Paris. But that’s the situation this Saturday. Starting at 4 p.m. local time, the six riders ride at three-minute intervals in the 57km stage 19 time trial from Le Creusot to Montceau-les-Mines.
(LiveCoverage is now underway.

These are the six men, their starting times, how much they have to makeup on race leader Oscar Pereiro, how the performed in the first time trialon July 8 and their chances of success on Saturday.

Denis Menchov (Rus), RabobankStarts at 4:00 p.m. local time, has to make up 4:14. In the stage 7 TT at Rennes, finished in ninth, 57 seconds faster than Pereiro. Chance of finishing on the podium: 10 percent.

Cadel Evans (Aus), Davitamon-LottoStarts at 4:03 p.m., has to make up 3:08. In the stage 7 TT at Rennes, finished in 11th, 52 seconds faster than Pereiro. Chance of finishing on the podium: 50 percent.

Andreas Klöden (G), T-MobileStarts at 4:06 p.m., has to make up 2:29. In the stage 7 TT at Rennes, finished in eighth, 58 seconds faster than Pereiro. Chance of finishing on the podium: 60 percent.

Floyd Landis (USA), PhonakStarts at 4:09 p.m., has to make up 0:30. In the stage 7 TT at Rennes, finished in second, 1:40 faster than Pereiro. Chance of finishing on the podium: 90 percent.

Carlos Sastre (Sp), PhonakStarts at 4:12 p.m., has to make up 0:12. In the stage 7 TT at Rennes, finished in 18th, 30 seconds faster than Pereiro. Chance of finishing on the podium: 90 percent.

Oscar Pereiro (Sp), Caisse d’ÉpargneStarts at 4:15 p.m., race leader In the stage 7 TT at Rennes, finished in 23rd, slower than all the other contenders. Chance of finishing on the podium: 70 percent.

This time trial is longer and tougher than the one in Rennes twoweeks ago. The reverse-S-shaped course has constant ups and down and dozensof tight turns — including 10 in the very first kilometer. So bike-handlingas well as strength and time-trialing ability are paramount.

The temperatures are forecast to be in upper-90s at race times, withblustery winds that will be swinging from different directions as the ridersprogress on the intricately designed course. Time checks at being takenat 16.5km and 34km.

The fatigue of three weeks in the saddle will also play a part. Thosewho appear the strongest at this stage of the Tour are Landis, Sastre andEvans. It will be a fascinating battle.

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Our Live Coverage of Stage 19 will begin at 3:00 p.m. local time (9:00 a.m. in the Eastern Time Zone of the U.S.).