Vincenzo Nibali got safely through a potentially dangerous penultimate road stage of the Tour de France and now sets his sights on the final time trial. Even though his win is virtually secured, he vows to race like a leader and claims to not yet have suffered in the race.

Barring accident, Vincenzo Nibali will take a commanding Tour de France win on Sunday. Hence, he could allow himself to take it easy in tomorrow's time trial but after having come safely through today's tricky stage, he promises that he will be going full gas.

"Besides the fact that it was raining, it's been a quiet stage, for sprinters," he said. "At the four kilometres mark, I've let it go and I went a little bit backwards in the peloton. It was important not to take any risk. That was the essential for me. The rain had made the finale difficult.

"Tomorrow, there won't be any particular risk on the course of the time trial. But I'll honour the yellow jersey, the Tour de France and my team by riding as a leader.

"There hasn't been any day in the Tour de France I've particularly suffered. Some days I was feeling a little better, some days not but my legs have always responded well.

"It's not true that I've used only two yellow jerseys [those from Sheffield and Arenberg, as reported in the press]. Being superstitious, I would have liked to but I've had to use a few more jerseys, especially a lighter one on the hot days."