Race leader Carlos Sastre made it clear there would be no stretches on which to attack his main rival, Australian Cadel Evans, in today's short 165.5km 19th stage from Roanne to Montlucon.

"I really can't see any chances in this stage to take some time off Cadel," said Sastre after ending his first day in the yellow jersey with an advantage of one minute 24 seconds over second-placed Frank Schleck.

"The best thing to do now is to take it easy and save as much energy as possible to be at my best on Saturday," added the Spaniard.

Tomorrow's 53km individual time trial is widely expected to decide the outcome of the Tour. And Sastre fears that Evans, in fourth place overall, can easily make up a deficit of 1min 34sec.

A ceasefire having been declared between the favourites, today's stage, should favour sprinters, who have won the five previous stages to Montlucon in past Tours.