Cadel Evans will become the first Australian to win the Tour de France, having secured the yellow jersey in the penultimate stage of cycling's most famous race.
Starting the day trailing Andy Schleck by 57 seconds, Evans produced a masterful performance in the 42.5-kilometre time trial in and around Grenoble to seize an advantage of one minute and 34 seconds.
Evans finished second in the time trial with a performance of 55:40.26, just seven seconds behind Germany's Tony Martin.
The last stage to Paris is traditionally a procession for riders in the overall classification with the main action coming from the sprinters on the Champs Elysees.
Evans scorched around the undulating course in the heart of the French Alps in overcast conditions.
After near misses in the 2007 and 2008 editions of the Tour, Evans' triumph is a massive moment for the sport in Australia.
The victory makes the 34-year-old the oldest winner of the Tour in the 88 years since Henri Pelissier finished on top in 1923.
Such has been the dominance of Europeans at the Tour, that Evans is only the third champion to have come from outside the continent's clutches.
Evans' performance also ticks one of the few remaining boxes on Australian sport's 'to do' list.
The weight of the achievement must be considered up there with the nation's finest sporting moments such as Australia II winning the 1983 America's Cup.
It completes a remarkable journey after growing up in the Northern Territory and almost being killed at the age of eight after being kicked in the head by a horse.
Evans moved to Victoria in his teenage years and made his name as a mountain biker before transferring his talents to the road.
After being less than a minute away in 2007 and 2008 from capturing cycling's holy grail, Evans struggled with favouritism in 2009.
However only months after his disappointing 30th finish, he became the first Australian to win the men's road race world title.
He changed teams in late 2009 and went to BMC, but a fractured elbow from a crash at last year's Tour ruined his chances of challenging the leaders.
On this year's tour, he has not been under as much pressure and Sunday morning (AEST) was the first day that he had worn the yellow jersey.
He had been happy to mark his time before the time trial with spirited pursuits of lead groups in the final two mountain stages proving pivotal to his success.
Evans' cleanskin reputation is a bonus for cycling's image as it tries to clean up its reputation following decades of drugs controversies.
Ex-team-mates of seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong have accused the American of taking banned substances, while three-time winner Alberto Contador tested positive for anabolic agent clenbuterol at last year's Tour.
The Spanish Cycling Federation cleared him of any offence and Contador's appeal will be heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport next month.
Brian Kirkham was the first Australian to ride in the Tour in 1914, with the legendary Hubert Opperman participating for the first time in 1928.
But it was not until 1981 that an Australian slipped on the yellow jersey for the first time in Phil Anderson.
Since then several Australians have worn the famous jersey, but only Evans has threatened to climb to the top step on the Champs Elyses with it on.
Evans to be crowned Tour winner - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Woooooo one of our biggest sporting successes ever.
Starting the day trailing Andy Schleck by 57 seconds, Evans produced a masterful performance in the 42.5-kilometre time trial in and around Grenoble to seize an advantage of one minute and 34 seconds.
Evans finished second in the time trial with a performance of 55:40.26, just seven seconds behind Germany's Tony Martin.
The last stage to Paris is traditionally a procession for riders in the overall classification with the main action coming from the sprinters on the Champs Elysees.
Evans scorched around the undulating course in the heart of the French Alps in overcast conditions.
After near misses in the 2007 and 2008 editions of the Tour, Evans' triumph is a massive moment for the sport in Australia.
The victory makes the 34-year-old the oldest winner of the Tour in the 88 years since Henri Pelissier finished on top in 1923.
Such has been the dominance of Europeans at the Tour, that Evans is only the third champion to have come from outside the continent's clutches.
Evans' performance also ticks one of the few remaining boxes on Australian sport's 'to do' list.
The weight of the achievement must be considered up there with the nation's finest sporting moments such as Australia II winning the 1983 America's Cup.
It completes a remarkable journey after growing up in the Northern Territory and almost being killed at the age of eight after being kicked in the head by a horse.
Evans moved to Victoria in his teenage years and made his name as a mountain biker before transferring his talents to the road.
After being less than a minute away in 2007 and 2008 from capturing cycling's holy grail, Evans struggled with favouritism in 2009.
However only months after his disappointing 30th finish, he became the first Australian to win the men's road race world title.
He changed teams in late 2009 and went to BMC, but a fractured elbow from a crash at last year's Tour ruined his chances of challenging the leaders.
On this year's tour, he has not been under as much pressure and Sunday morning (AEST) was the first day that he had worn the yellow jersey.
He had been happy to mark his time before the time trial with spirited pursuits of lead groups in the final two mountain stages proving pivotal to his success.
Evans' cleanskin reputation is a bonus for cycling's image as it tries to clean up its reputation following decades of drugs controversies.
Ex-team-mates of seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong have accused the American of taking banned substances, while three-time winner Alberto Contador tested positive for anabolic agent clenbuterol at last year's Tour.
The Spanish Cycling Federation cleared him of any offence and Contador's appeal will be heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport next month.
Brian Kirkham was the first Australian to ride in the Tour in 1914, with the legendary Hubert Opperman participating for the first time in 1928.
But it was not until 1981 that an Australian slipped on the yellow jersey for the first time in Phil Anderson.
Since then several Australians have worn the famous jersey, but only Evans has threatened to climb to the top step on the Champs Elyses with it on.
Evans to be crowned Tour winner - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Woooooo one of our biggest sporting successes ever.
