SALIES-DE-BEARN, France (AP) — The riders of the Tour de France have set out on the 18th of the 20 stages of this year’s Tour de France, a day that could be decisive for those fighting for the green jersey of best sprinter.
The flat 123-mile trek from Salies-de-Bearn to Bordeaux in the country’s southwest is expected to end in a sprint finish on Friday.
No change is expected to the overall standings. Defending champion Alberto Contador of Spain holds an eight-second lead over Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, a gap that is expected to widen during the time-trial stage on Saturday.
The race ends in Paris on Sunday.
