Cadel Evans is poised to win his first Tour de France title after wresting the fabled yellow jersey from the shoulders of Andy Schleck on today's penultimate stage in Grenoble.
Evans (BMC Racing) assumed the race leader's maillot jaune with a supreme display on today's 42.5-kilometre time-trial.
And the 34-year-old, Tour de France runner-up in 2007 and 2008, will likely become the first Australian winner of cycling's most prestigious race after turning a 57-second deficit to Andy Schleck (Leopard Trek) into a one minute 34 second advantage in the foot hills of the Alps.
Evans entered today in third place overall, almost a minute behind Andy Schleck and four seconds adrift of Frank Schleck, but his superior ability against the clock told.
Evans finished in 55 minutes 40 seconds, 2mins 31secs quicker than Andy Schleck, who now must settle for second place for a third successive year.
Barring a freak accident or illness, tomorrow's 95km 21st and final stage from Creteil to the Champs-Elysees in Paris will see Evans crowned Tour champion.
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