Contador to lead Champs-Elysees parade

PARIS (Reuters) - Only a harsh twist of fate can prevent Alberto Contador from playing the leading role in the Champs-Elysees parade marking the end of the 96th Tour de France Sunday.

With a lead of four minutes 11 seconds over Luxembourg's Andy Schleck and 5:24 over American Lance Armstrong, the 26-year-old Spaniard will, as is the custom on the Tour, start the celebrations early.

The 21st and final stage is widely expected to end in a mass sprint, with Briton Mark Cavendish the overwhelming favorite for a possible sixth win in this year's race.

On the 164-km course from Montereau Fault-Yonne, the mood of the race will quickly change when relief and relaxation give way to tension as the peloton approaches the French capital.

Some riders will take a last opportunity to shine by breaking away during the eight laps that will take them along the Rue de Rivoli and through Place de la Concorde.

Since the Champs-Elysees became the setting of the Tour finale in 1975 the last stage has often been decided in a mass finish.

The laureates will then take their places on the podium, with Contador, who was the 2007 champion, above his Astana team mate Armstrong.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Clare Fallon)