Paris  - The last stage of the 2009 Tour de France got under way Sunday in the city of Montereau-Fault-Yonne, south-east of Paris, with 26-year-old Spaniard Alberto Contador set to be crowned Tour champion.

The closing stage of the Tour is traditionally a leisurely ceremonial parade into Paris, with no real racing until the riders reach the Champs Elysees.

When the stage began, Contador led Andy Schleck of Luxembourg by 4 minutes 11 seconds, with 37-year-old Lance Armstrong in third, 5 minutes 24 seconds behind his Astana teammate.

Unless there is an accident or illness or some monumental surprise, the final standings will be the same when the last of the 156 riders left in the race crosses the finish line.

With Italian Franco Pellizotti having clinched the King of the Mountains championship, the only title to be contested in Sunday's race is that of the sprinter's green jersey. Norwegian Thor Hushovd leads five-time stage winner Mark Cavendish of Britain by 260 to 235 points.

The 164km course includes nine circuits of the Champs Elysees, with two intermediate sprints and the final sprint to the finish line in which riders can win points depending on where they finish.

Cavendish has proven that he is the fastest sprinter in the world, and he will be favoured to take his sixth stage victory of this Tour. But Hushovd must only finish close to the 24-year-old Briton to win the title. (dpa)