EVEN Bradley Wiggins is surprised at how well he's doing against the climbers in the world's best-known cycle race.

With less than a week to go before the Tour ends in Paris, the Englishman said: "I certainly didn't expect this in terms of the position.

"However, as regards my performance, I knew what I was capable of.

Wiggins is third overall, 1:46 behind Spain's Alberto Contador.

Mountain specialists were initially surprised to see an Olympic pursuit champion in the leading group in the climbs.

However, they accepted Wiggins having seen him take his share of the work in the Pyrenees and the first stage in The Alps.

"I know some of the guys are thinking what is he doing here? You have to let them see you enough if you want them to give you space and respect," said the Wiggins.

He said he now felt he had been accepted. "I think I have earned their respect now. It was a long process."

With two mountain stages left in The Alps and an individual time-trial which should suit his style, Wiggins said he was trying to avoid being over-whelmed by the "enormity" of the task ahead.

He has realistic expectations for the rest of the race. "I may never be in this position again," he said. "But I'm not a fool, I know I'm not going to win the Tour. "

The man most likely to achieve success on Sunday is Contador, who claimed he took a big step towards winning when crushing his rivals in the first Alpine stage.

He not only landed the 15th stage but now has the overall leader's yellow jersey and the full backing of his Astana team.

Contador, 26, now leads team-mate Lance Armstrong by 1:37. "Sunday was a big step towards final victory," said the Spaniard. "I trust my team. The riders are very professional."