Quick Step rider Matteo Tossato of Italy outsprinted two fellow breakaways to claim Friday's 197-km 18th stage of the Tour de France from Morzine to Macon.

Italian Cristian Moreni (Cofidis) was second with Ronny Scholz (Gerolsteiner) of Germany third.

The three belonged to a group of 15 riders who escaped 33 km into the race and split 15 km from the finish.

Overall leader Oscar Pereiro of Spain was riding in the peloton more than eight minutes behind when Tossato crossed the line.

Pereiro has a lead of 12 seconds over compatriot Carlos Sastre. American Floyd Landis is third, 30 seconds adrift.

American Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) was the original breakaway group's best-placed rider overall at the start of the stage, 22 minutes behind Pereiro.

Saturday's penultimate stage, a 57-km individual time trial from Le Creusot to Montceaux-les-Mines, will decide the winner of the Tour on the eve of the last parade on the Champs-Elysees.