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National time trial champion Sylvain Chavanel claimed a third stage win for the host nation and his maiden Tour de France victory in the 165.5-km 19th stage from Roanne to Montlucon.

The 29-year-old Cofidis rider, who recently signed a two-year deal to move to Belgian outfit Quick Step, beat out compatriot Jeremy Roy (Francaise des Jeux) after a 92 kilometre break-away.

Columbia rider Gerald Ciolek finished third in front of German compatriots Erik Zabel and Heirich Haussler in the mass sprint that followed one minute and 13 seconds later.

"I wouldn't have believed it this morning. Last night I had a problem with my back and I couldn't move," said Chavanel.

"I had to call the osteopath. So I am a lot happier today. I'm a lot stronger."

Stefan Schumacher, Pierrick Fedrigo, Egoi Martinez, and Alessandro Ballan launched a short-lived attack on the Cat. 3 Croix-du-Sud climb ten kilometres into Friday's stage.

Spaniard Juan Antonio Flecha, Frenchman Roman Feillu, and German Fabian Wegmann were dropped on the climb and were eventually disqualified for finishing outside of the required time.

Chavanel, who has seven wins to his name this year including the seventh stage at Paris-Nice, attacked with just under 100 kilometres left to race and was followed by Roy.

The peloton let the two men build a lead of more than five minutes before beginning to reel them back in, but sprint teams Quick Step, Milram and Barloworld left it too late.

Roy followed Chavanel, who has taken part in several unsuccessful escape attempts at this year's race, into the town of Montlucon and hung on his wheel until the final half kilometre.

The FDJ man attempted to steal the stage away from Chavanel in the last 200 metres, but it was too late and the Cofidis rider stared back at his compatriot and smiled just before crossing the line first.

"I was frustrated because I had been trying so hard and every time I had failed," said Chavanel.

"This year, I have overcome a barrier. It's the best gift I could offer Cofidis."

Frenchman Samuel Dumoulin won stage three in the first week of the race, while Cyril Dessel claimed stage 16 for the hosts in the Alps.

There were no changes in the general classification as Carlos Sastre retained the yellow jersey heading into Saturday's decisive 53-km individual time trial from Cerilly to Saint-Amand-Montrond.

Sastre leads CSC team-mate Frank Schleck by 1'24" and Gerolsteiner's Bernhard Kohl by 1'33" in the overall standings.

Australian Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) trails the Spaniard by 1'34" and is the strongest time trial rider of the remaining general classification contenders.

Spain's Oscar Freire (Rabobank), who finished 11th on Friday, has a nearly insurmountable 42-point lead over Zabel in the green jersey standings heading into the final two stages.

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Jeremy Stahl / Eurosport