Sastre set to win Le Tour

Carlos Sastre moved to within touching distance of the Tour de France title after retaining the yellow jersey on the penultimate stage following Saturday's time trial between Cerilly and St Amand-Montrond.

Gerolsteiner's Stefan Schumacher powered to victory - his second time-trial triumph of the Tour following his success in the fourth stage - in the 53km race against the clock by posting a time of one hour, three minutes and 50 seconds.

But Team CSC's Sastre was the day's real winner, the Spaniard holding onto his overall lead despite finishing the time trial 2mins 36secs behind Schumacher.

Cadel Evans, Sastre's chief rival, climbed into second place overall by posting 1.05:55 to come in a disappointing seventh but failed to do enough to oust the leader. He lies 65 seconds behind Sastre.

Australia's Evans managed to leapfrog Bernard Kohl but the surprise package from Austria remains third, with Frank Schleck - who began the day second - dropping down to sixth in the classification on Saturday.

With just the traditional ride into Paris left in the final stage on Sunday, Sastre is now virtually assured the title.

And Evans and Kohl appear to be guaranteed podium finishes barring any major incidents in the 21st and final stage into and through the capital.

Two-time reigning world time-trail champion Fabian Cancellara finished the stage second, 21 seconds back, while Luxembourg's Kim Kirchen was third a further 40 seconds back.