July 25 (Bloomberg) -- Spain’s Juan Martin Garate won the next-to-last stage of the Tour de France to Mount Ventoux as countryman Alberto Contador all but secured his second race victory.

Garate led the 13-mile ascent of the “Giant of Provence,” as the mountain is nicknamed, to beat Germany’s Tony Martin by three seconds. Contador and Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, who sits second overall, were next across the finish line, 38 seconds behind.

The 106-year-old race’s tradition dictates the leader isn’t challenged on the flat final stage to Paris, which is tomorrow. Contador leads Schleck by 4 minutes, 11 seconds. Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong is third, 5 minutes, 24 seconds behind Astana teammate Contador.

“It’s a great day,” Contador said in televised comments to reporters. “I’m just enjoying this moment. It’s just outstanding.”

Contador, 26, won his first Tour in 2007, when race leader Michael Rasmussen was withdrawn by his team after missing doping tests.

Armstrong, competing at this year’s race at age 37 after a four-year absence, all but guaranteed being one of the top three on the final podium tomorrow as he increased his lead over Bradley Wiggins of Great Britain to 37 seconds. Luxembourg’s Frank Schleck moved into fifth place ahead of Germany’s Andreas Kloden.

Eighth Time

Today was the eighth time the Tour de France’s course has included Mount Ventoux. The U.K.’s Tom Simpson died on the ascent in 1967 and Eddy Merckx was administered oxygen after winning a 1970 stage on it.

Garate, of the Rabobank team, was part of a breakaway up the mountain. He then pulled away from Martin with about 100 meters (328 feet) remaining to cross the finish line first.

The victory was welcomed by Rabobank, which has struggled at this year’s race, ranking 17th among the 20 teams.

“At the end of the day we got something,” Rabobank rider Juan Antonio Flecha said. “When I saw him (Garate) in the breakaway, I knew he was the best climber in that group. He was very hyped up this morning.”

It’s the first time there has been a mountain stage on the Tour’s next-to-last day, when there is normally a time trial.

To contact the reporter on this story: Alex Duff on Mount Ventoux, France at aduff4@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: July 25, 2009 12:07 EDT