SEMNOZ, FRANCE (Reuters) - Chris Froome virtually sealed his maiden Tour de France title with yet another strong climbing performance in Saturday's penultimate stage, won by Colombia's Nairo Quintana.

Britain's Froome leads Quintana by 5min 3sec overall, with Spain's Joaquim Rodriguez jumping into third 5:47 off the pace after Alberto Contador, the 2007 and 2009 champion, slipped out of the top three when he cracked in the final ascent of the 125km 20th stage.

Contador, who was dripping with sweat on the slopes of Semnoz, is fourth 7:10 behind Froome going into Sunday's final stage, a festive parade from Versailles to Paris with only the final sprint being contested.

Barring a crash, Team Sky's Froome will succeed compatriot and team-mate Bradley Wiggins, who missed this year's race because of a knee injury.