Champagne moment for 'Vino'

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The pre-race favourite timed his attack on the 196-km stage to perfection, but following his capitulation in Sunday's 14th stage, when he lost over 28 minutes, poses no threat to the yellow jersey holder, Denmark's Michael Rasmussen.

Rasmussen retains the overall lead by 2:23 from Alberto Contador despite his rival's best efforts to drop him in the closing 10km of the stage.

The Spaniard kicked continually, but Rasmussen responded on each occasion and the duo crossed the line 5:31 behind Astana's Vinokourov.

Rabobank rider Rasmussen admitted to being tested by Contador (Discovery Channel), who retains the white jersey for the best young rider.

Rasmussen said: "I was certainly under pressure. Contador attacked me many times - he has fantastic acceleration, I was on the limit - but I managed to stay with him.

"My main objective was to control the race and stay with Contador if he attacked. I had enough to do staying on his wheel."

One mountain stage remains on Wednesday, following Tuesday's rest day.

The stage from Orthez to Gourette-Col d'Aubisque passes through Spain, where Contador will receive partisan support from his home crowd, and Rasmussen believes the result of that stage will go a long way to determining the overall winner in Paris on Sunday.

"Wednesday is the decisive day, and with the finish line close, everything is wide open," he added.