MEGEVE, France (AP) Alexis Gougeard holds the early lead in Stage 18 of the Tour de France, a 17-kilometer (10.5-mile) mountain time trial featuring majestic views of Mont Blanc.
The French rider with the AG2R La Mondiale team clocked 33 minutes, 6 seconds over the demanding route from Sallanches to Megeve.
It's the Tour's first mountain time trial since the 2004 race against the clock up l'Alpe d'Huez. Besides the flat opening four kilometers (2.5 miles) and a short descent at the finish, it's entirely uphill.
Poland's national champion Maciej Bodnar sits second, 1 minute behind.
Overall leader Chris Froome will be the last rider to start.
Froome holds a lead of 2:27 over Bauke Mollema of the Netherlands, with Adam Yates of Britain third, 2:53 back.
The Tour ends Sunday.
