Norwegian cyclist Thor Hushovd has won the 18th stage of the Tour de France, but American and three-time champion Lance Armstrong remains the overall leader.
Hushovd finished the 176.5 kilometer stage in 4:28:28. Christophe Mengin of France was second, less than one wheel length back and was awarded the same time. Jakob Piil of Denmark was third five seconds behind the winner.
Armstrong finished with a pack of riders 11:42 behind the winner, but maintained his overall lead of 5:05 over Spain's Joseba Beloki. Raimondas Rumsas of Lithuania is in third place overall, 7:24 behind the American.
Saturday's 19th stage is a 50-kilometer individual time trial from Regnie-Durette to Macon. Sunday's final stage should be no more than a victory lap for Armstrong, who is set to become the first American ever to win four Tours.