Contador virtual lock for third Tour win (AP)

Alberto Contador never wavered. Under a blistering attack from Andy Schleck, the Spaniard tightened his grip on a third Tour de France title in four years by matching every acceleration his rival threw at him during the ride up a fabled Pyrenean climb in Thursday’s 17th stage. Schleck delivered on his promise to ride well on the last mountain of this year’s race.