Lance Back in Third

I was a little disappointed in Lance's TT performance today. I was hoping he would pick up at least one minute on Andy Schleck, but Andy rode his best TT ever and lost only :14 sec to Lance.
Lance did move back to 3rd and holds about an :11 sec lead over Bradley Wiggins. Chances for an Astana sweep after Saturdays stage have now disappeared after Andreas Kloden performance today. I'll have more to say on that issue when the tour ends Sunday.
Best performance of the day has to go to Alberto Contador beating out favorite Fabian Cancellara for the stage victory. Knowing what Alberto can do in the mountains and seeing what he can now do in a TT, Lance's 7 TDF victories are now threatened.
Best news of the day was a news article on Bicycling.com on Johan Bruyneel leaving Team Astana and with Lance Armstrong, forming their own team. We should know all the details before the tour ends. Rumors are starting to float that Nike will be the sponsor.

Prediction for stage 19:
Another tough climb near the end and a long dissent to the finish. The battle will be on the climb. I am now a believer in Andy Schleck and don't believe Lance will be able to catch him for 2nd place in the overall. Contador now has a lot of breathing room and has secured (barring an injury) the yellow jersey. Unless Lance, Wiggins or Kloden do something special there will be no change in the leaders. If all the leaders are ahead over the climb and stay together to the finish it will be between Wiggins and Kloden. I'll take Kloden on a sprint and just maybe by the few seconds he needs to overtake Wiggins for 4th place.

Results of 18th stage:
1. Alberto Contador, (ESP), Astana, 00:48:30
2. Fabian Cancellara, (SUI), Saxo Bank, +:03 seconds behind
3. Mikhail Ignatiev, (RUS), Katusha, +:15
4. Gustav Larsson, (SWE), Saxo Bank, +:33
5. David Millar, (GBR), Garmin-Slipstream, +:41
6. Bradley Wiggins, (GBR), Garmin-Slipstream, +:43
7. Luis Leon Sanchez, (ESP), Caisse d'Epargne, +:44
8. Christophe Moreau, (FRA), Agritubel,+:45
9. Andreas Kloeden, (GER), Astana, +:54
10. David Zabriskie, (USA), Garmin Slipstream, +1:02 minutes

Overall standings after 18 stages:
1. Alberto Contador, (ESP), Astana, 73:15:39
2. Andy Schleck, (LUX), Saxo Bank, +4:11 minutes behind
3. Lance Armstrong, (USA), Astana, +5:25
4. Bradley Wiggins, (GBR), Garmin-Slipstream, +5:36
5. Andreas Kloeden, (GER), Astana, +5:38
6. Frank Schleck, (LUX), Saxo Bank, +5:59
7. Vincenzo Nibali, (ITA), Liquigas, +7:15
8. Christian Vande Velde, (USA) , Garmin Slipstream, +10:08
9. Mikel Astarloza, (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi, +12:38
10. Christophe le Mevel, (FRA), FDJeux, +12:40