American cyclist Lance Armstrong moved up to the third overall position of the Tour de France on Thursday after the 18th stage was completed.

Spanish Alberto Contador - Armstrong's teammate - remains number one in the overall standings. He also won the 18th stage finishing in 48 minutes, 31 seconds. Three seconds behind Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland and Mikhail Ignatiev from Russia finished third, 15 seconds behind.

Stage 19 kicks off Friday with a lenght of 110.6 miles from Bourgoin-Jallieu to Aubenas.

The race will end on Sunday on the Champs-Elysees in Paris when cyclists complete 21 stages.

Russia