Alberto Contador has the leader's yellow jersey at the start of stage 19 - a time trial from Cognac to Angouleme
Ralf Grabsch of Germany is among the first riders to complete the 55km course
Sebastien Hinault of France and Credit Agricole is also one of the first in action
David Millar makes a determined start but the Briton's hopes of registering a good time are ruined by a blown tyre
Rabobank's Thomas Dekker will not trouble the leaders after finishing in one hour, five minutes 39 seconds
Russia's Vladimir Karpets overcomes a steady start to set the time to beat in one hour, four minutes, 41 seconds
America's Levi Leipheimer scorches round the course and takes just under two minutes off Karpets's time to lead
The pace is too hot for Cadel Evans who, in his quest to take the yellow jersey, finishes 51 seconds behind Leipheimer
Contador is also unable to overhaul Leipheimer's stunning time and comes in fifth, two minutes 18 seconds adrift
The Spaniard retains his yellow jersey though and leads Evans by 23 seconds and Leipheimer by 31 going into the final day
For Leipheimer, it is a first Tour stage victory and sets up what could be a thrilling 146km race from Marcoussis to Paris
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