Armstrong eyes podium again at Annecy time trial

ANNECY, France (Reuters) - If Alberto Contador's yellow jersey is unlikely to be threatened in Thursday's time trial in Annecy, the battle for the podium places should heat up on the 40.5 kms of the 18th stage held around the town's lake.

"It's not a secret that we're not great time trial specialists. But the time we're going to lose, maybe we'll take it back on the Ventoux (the final steep climb of stage 20)," said Frank Schleck after winning Wednesday's 17th stage in Le Grand Bornand.

The Luxembourg rider and his younger brother Andy are currently third and second overall, 3:25 and 2:26 behind respectively but this unique feat may prove short-lived.

Three of the best time trial specialists in the world, American Lance Armstrong, Germany's Andreas Kloeden and Briton Bradley Wiggins are on their heels, ready to compete for places in the top three.

Armstrong, who spent 13 days in the medal placings, is now 4th overall but the seven-times Tour champion will almost certainly cover his 30 seconds gap with Frank Schleck while Andy's 1:19 advantage might not be good enough either.

"Second place (overall) is still my goal. I think it's possible," the American said.

Fifth overall, 4:44 behind Contador, Kloeden faces a harder task while Wiggins, for many the favorite to win the stage, lost considerable time in the grueling climbs to Le Grand Bornand.

Alberto Contador, who has vastly improved in time trials and cannot be taken lightly either, made it clear Wiggins loss of time in Wednesday's stage had been his main gain that day.

"Wiggins was probably the most dangerous opponent in tomorrow's time trial. Now I believe he has lost too much time to be a threat," he said.

The 40.5-kms course around Annecy feature a hard third category climb, Bluffy, toward the end, and could also favor other specialists no longer in overall contention such as Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, the first stage winner, or Briton David Millar.