Andy Schleck closed to within 15 seconds of the yellow jersey with an audacious breakaway victory on the Col du Galibier in the Tour de France.
Schleck was only denied the overall lead by a late surge up the climb from yellow jersey wearer Thomas Voeckler.
Leopard-Trek rider Schleck, runner-up in 2010, raced clear with 60km left on stage 18 to win from brother Frank.
Mark Cavendish was outside the time limit but escaped with a 20-point penalty to retain the green jersey.
An enthralling day's racing on the 100th anniversary of the Tour's first trip up the Col du Galibier has set up an intriguing climax as the riders head to Paris.
Schleck's brother Frank raced clear of the chasers in the closing stages to take second and is now 1:08 adrift in the overall standings, while noted time trialler Cadel Evans is 1:12 behind.
Friday's stage from Modane Valfrejus to Alpe-d'Huez is the final day in the mountains, and with such small margins currently separating the leading contenders, Saturday's individual time trial around Grenoble could prove decisive.
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