Frenchman Damien Nazon is the 19th rider out, with heavy rain and strong winds making for treacherous conditions in Pornic

Germany's Uwe Peschel braves the weather to set the pace at the first time check, but a fall later on costs him at the finish

Third-place sprinter Erik Zabel looks relaxed during the time trial, which does not count in the race for the green jersey

Britain's David Millar, still fighting illness, completes an impressive ride to take the lead with over half the field now out

Millar's time relegates leading time trial specialist Vjatceslav Ekimov into third place so far, 45 seconds behind

Tyler Hamilton continues his impressive Tour, surging into second as the final batch of riders head out on the time trial

Ullrich rides out three minutes ahead of Armstrong in a last attempt to deny the American another Tour title

Lance Armstrong is the last of the 148 riders to go, knowing he must clock a fast time to if he is to fight off Ullrich

Up ahead it's disaster for Ullrich who slips in the wet conditions, skidding across the road to lose precious seconds

Ullrich springs up unhurt and quickly remounts his bike, but the fall has probably cost him the Tour

Armstrong does not better Millar's time, but he crosses the finish line all but assured of a fifth title on Sunday

The only British rider in the Tour David Millar collects the trophy for winning the stage and celebrates on the podium