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News and Highlights
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| From top LtoR: Stage winner and wearer of white jersey of best young rider, Luxembourg's Andy Schleck, ridding ahead of Spain's Alberto Contador wearing the yellow jersey of overall leader in the assent to the Col du Tourmalet pass. The pack ridding in the fog. Russia's Denis Menchov (L) currently fourth in the overall standings ridding with third placed Spain's Samuel Sanchez. Contador putting donning the overall leader's yellow jersey on the victory podium at the end of the 174 km and 17th stage of the 2010 Tour de France cycling race run between Pau and the famous Col du Tourmalet pass in French Pyrenees on July 22, 2010. Image Credit: Joel Saget-Lionel Bonaventure-PA/AFP/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports |
With 4 km to the finish, Luxembourger and team Saxo Bank's Andy Schleck and Spaniard and team Astana's Alberto Contador were out front ahead of the rest of the field. The entire Saxo Bank strategy to wear down Contador hadn't worked. Schleck kept looking back and staring Contador in the eyes to see if he could glean a hint of fatigue from Contador, but the Spaniard Contador had be sitting on Schleck's back wheel all the way to the top. Then it was Contador who put on a burst of speed. Schleck caught up and gave the former another intense glare. Perhaps it was Contador's way of saying, "You thought you could wear me out, but guess what?"
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| Alberto Contador of Spain and the Astana Team charges ahead of Andy Schleck of Luxembourg and Team Saxo Bank to demonstrates he still has 'the legs' to cope with Andy's big push to the finish up at the summit of the Col du Tourmalet. Image Credit: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports |
They then rode together to the finish and Contador didn't even try to get the stage win from Schleck. Their general classifications did not change and Contador will continue to wear the yellow jersey. The two put their arms around each other before being congratulated by the French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
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| Saxo Bank's Andy Schleck of Luxembourg and Astana's Alberto Contador of Spain congratulate each other after the finish line of the 17th stage of the Tour de France - Thursday July 22. Image credit: AP at Yahoo Sports UK |
Behind them was the question of who would start to secure his claim to the third spot on the podium in Paris - Sammy Sanchez of team Euskatel-Euskadi or team Rabobank's Denis Menchov nicknamed the silent assassin. It is unfortunate that race standings are sometime determined by accidents and technical glitches rather than the superiority of effort.
Sanchez had a nasty fall and had the wind knocked out of him - perhaps through no fault of his own. The peloton had entered a narrow stretch of road and the team cars were trying to get by, scrunching up the riders. This may have caused the fall. When Contador heard about the mishap, he slowed the peloton down giving Sanchez and his supportive Euskatel-Euskadi teammates a chance to catch up.
But the peloton slowing down allowed the lead group to stretch their lead to around nine minutes. Carlos Sastre of the Cervelo Test Team ignored the slow down and tried to catch up with the lead group but to no avail. He finished 72nd some sixteen minutes behind the leaders. At the base of the climb up to Col du Tourmalet, the leads had evaporated and were swallowed by by the charging peloton led by Schleck's team Saxo Bank.
When questioned about his refusal to slow down, Sastre retorted, "I think we're turning cycling into a sport for spoilt brats and that is what happens in these kinds of circumstances. I've fallen in this Tour, I fell in the Italian Giro, I've had technical problems and no one ever waited for me." Point well made. If Schleck and Sanchez expect others to wait for them when they have mechanical problems or spills, then they should have waited for Sastre when he had problems. But by that token, we wouldn't have a race. Race leaders can't think of themselves as a privileged lot. Or as Sastre puts it, behave like spoilt brats.
The other story of the day concerned Canadian rider Thor Hesjedal of team Garmin-Transitions - one of two Canadians in the race. He put on a strong performance finishing fourth and 1'27" behind the leaders.
Sammy Sanchez finished fifth 1'27" behind the leaders ahead of Denny Menchov who finished sixth, 1'40" behind the leaders. Menchov's performance was a disappointment.
Today's stage was the last mountain stage. Tomorrow's stage to Bordeaux is suited to the sprinters. Every one's eyes are on Saturday's time trial and Sunday is the final ride into Paris. It all feels a bit anti-climactic.
Said Schleck after the race, "I'm going to try and do a fast time trial; I'm motivated and my form is better than before. You saw that today on the last climb with Alberto and myself. I don't want to sound arrogant but the battle for the win is between me and Contador, with Sanchez and Menchov going for third."
Ah! We almost forgot to mention the incident that generated some excitement. As the peloton were climbing the fog shrouded slopes up to the Col du Soulor, some sheep decided to cross the road. Contador and his Astana team had to take evasive action and deftly avoided any encounters with the sheep, each other or the road.
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| The peloton's encounter with sheep on the ride up to the Col du Soulor. The sheep were better behaved than many crazed spectators. Image credit: steephill.tv |
Lance Armstrong is back in the news. Click here to read our page for the latest on the unfolding drug scandal involving Lance Armstrong.
Video Highlights
Interesting Photos
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| The most interesting photos from the day were the sheep on the slopes of the Col du Soulor. This one appears to be cheering. Some like the other spectators ran along with the riders but were soon outpaced. Image credit: steephill.tv |
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| Spectators run alongside stage winner Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, right, and overall leader Alberto Contador of Spain, left, as they climb Tourmale. Image credit: AP at Yahoo Sports UK |
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| The peloton (the pack) passes a vineyard during the 17th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174 kilometers (108 miles) starting in Pau, Southern France. Image credit: AP at Yahoo Sports UK |
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| The peloton climbing the lower slopes in the 174 km and 17th stage of the 2010 Tour de France cycling race run between Pau and the famous Col du Tourmalet pass in French Pyrenees on July 22, 2010. Image Credit: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images at Yahoo Sports |
Stage Map
Image credit: www.letour.fr
Stage Profile
Standings
(Source: www.letour.fr)For an explanation of the classifications and jerseys, please see our page Classifications and Jerseys
Jersey icon key:
General classification (GC) fastest time leader, 
Sprints points leader, 
Mountains points leader, 
Young Rider time leader, 
Team total least time leader, 
Most Aggressive RiderLeaders
 |  | 1 | CONTADOR Alberto | ASTANA | 83h 32' 39" |
 |  | 95 | HUSHOVD Thor | CERVELO TEST TEAM | 191 pts |
 |  | 153 | CHARTEAU Anthony | BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM | 143 pts |
 |  | 11 | SCHLECK Andy | TEAM SAXO BANK | 83h 32' 47" |
 |  | TEAM RADIOSHACK | 250h 44' 40" | ||
Stage Winners
| Standing | Rider | Rider number bib | Team | Time | Gaps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | SCHLECK | 11 | TEAM SAXO BANK | 5h 03' 29" | |
| 2. | CONTADOR Alberto | 1 | ASTANA | 5h 03' 29" | + 00' 00" |
| 3. | RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin | 77 | KATUSHA TEAM | 5h 04' 47" | + 01' 18" |
| 4. |  HESJEDAL Ryder | 54 | GARMIN - TRANSITIONS | 5h 04' 56" | + 01' 27" |
| 5. | SANCHEZ Samuel | 181 | EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI | 5h 05' 01" | + 01' 32" |
| 6. |  MENCHOV Denis | 191 | RABOBANK | 5h 05' 09" | + 01' 40" |
| 7. |  GESINK Robert | 195 | RABOBANK | 5h 05' 09" | + 01' 40" |
| 8. | HORNER Christopher | 23 | TEAM RADIOSHACK | 5h 05' 14" | + 01' 45" |
| 9. |  VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen | 101 | OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO | 5h 05' 17" | + 01' 48" |
| 10. |  KREUZIGER Roman | 44 | LIQUIGAS-DOIMO | 5h 05' 43" | + 02' 14" |
| 11. |  CUNEGO Damiano | 201 | LAMPRE - FARNESE | 5h 06' 29" | + 03' 00" |
| 12. |  ROCHE Nicolas | 81 | AG2R LA MONDIALE | 5h 06' 55" | + 03' 26" |
| 13. |  KLÖDEN Andréas | 24 | TEAM RADIOSHACK | 5h 06' 59" | + 03' 30" |
| 14. | GADRET John | 85 | AG2R LA MONDIALE | 5h 07' 04" | + 03' 35" |
| 15. |  SIVTSOV Kanstantsin | 119 | TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA | 5h 07' 13" | + 03' 44" |
| 16. |  MORABITO Steve | 128 | BMC RACING TEAM | 5h 07' 27" | + 03' 58" |
| 17. | ARMSTRONG Lance | 21 | TEAM RADIOSHACK | 5h 07' 41" | + 04' 12" |
| 18. | BARREDO Carlos | 132 | QUICK STEP | 5h 07' 45" | + 04' 16" |
| 19. | KIRYIENKA Vasil | 165 | CAISSE D’EPARGNE | 5h 07' 56" | + 04' 27" |
| 20. | SANCHEZ Luis-Leon | 161 | CAISSE D’EPARGNE | 5h 07' 56" | + 04' 27" |
General Classification. Also called GC (yellow jersey / maillot jaune)
| Standing | Rider | Rider number bib | Team | Time | Gaps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | CONTADOR Alberto | 1 | ASTANA | 83h 32' 39" | |
| 2. | SCHLECK Andy | 11 | TEAM SAXO BANK | 83h 32' 47" | + 00' 08" |
| 3. | SANCHEZ Samuel | 181 | EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI | 83h 36' 11" | + 03' 32" |
| 4. | MENCHOV Denis | 191 | RABOBANK | 83h 36' 32" | + 03' 53" |
| 5. | VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen | 101 | OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO | 83h 38' 06" | + 05' 27" |
| 6. | GESINK Robert | 195 | RABOBANK | 83h 39' 20" | + 06' 41" |
| 7. | RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin | 77 | KATUSHA TEAM | 83h 39' 42" | + 07' 03" |
| 8. | HESJEDAL Ryder | 54 | GARMIN - TRANSITIONS | 83h 41' 57" | + 09' 18" |
| 9. | KREUZIGER Roman | 44 | LIQUIGAS-DOIMO | 83h 42' 51" | + 10' 12" |
| 10. | HORNER Christopher | 23 | TEAM RADIOSHACK | 83h 43' 16" | + 10' 37" |
| 11. | SANCHEZ Luis-Leon | 161 | CAISSE D’EPARGNE | 83h 45' 25" | + 12' 46" |
| 12. | PLAZA MOLINA Ruben | 168 | CAISSE D’EPARGNE | 83h 45' 40" | + 13' 01" |
| 13. | LEIPHEIMER Levi | 25 | TEAM RADIOSHACK | 83h 47' 03" | + 14' 24" |
| 14. | KLÖDEN Andréas | 24 | TEAM RADIOSHACK | 83h 47' 23" | + 14' 44" |
| 15. | ROCHE Nicolas | 81 | AG2R LA MONDIALE | 83h 48' 39" | + 16' 00" |
| 16. |  VINOKOUROV Alexandre | 9 | ASTANA | 83h 50' 36" | + 17' 57" |
| 17. | GADRET John | 85 | AG2R LA MONDIALE | 83h 50' 38" | + 17' 59" |
| 18. |  LÖVKVIST Thomas | 37 | SKY PRO CYCLING | 83h 51' 09" | + 18' 30" |
| 19. | DE WEERT Kevin | 133 | QUICK STEP | 83h 52' 42" | + 20' 03" |
| 20. | MORENO FERNANDEZ Daniel | 107 | OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO | 83h 58' 02" | + 25' 23" |
Points Classification (green jersey / maillot vert)
| Standing | Rider | Rider number bib | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | HUSHOVD Thor | 95 | CERVELO TEST TEAM | 191 pts |
| 2. | PETACCHI Alessandro | 208 | LAMPRE - FARNESE | 187 pts |
| 3. |  CAVENDISH Mark | 111 | TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA | 162 pts |
| 4. | ROJAS Jose Joaquin | 169 | CAISSE D’EPARGNE | 149 pts |
| 5. |  MC EWEN Robbie | 75 | KATUSHA TEAM | 138 pts |
| 6. | HAGEN Edvald Boasson | 36 | SKY PRO CYCLING | 132 pts |
| 7. | CONTADOR Alberto | 1 | ASTANA | 115 pts |
| 8. | SANCHEZ Samuel | 181 | EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI | 112 pts |
| 9. | SCHLECK Andy | 11 | TEAM SAXO BANK | 107 pts |
| 10. | TURGOT Sébastien | 158 | BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM | 107 pts |
| 11. | CIOLEK Gerald | 142 | TEAM MILRAM | 104 pts |
| 12. | MONDORY Lloyd | 87 | AG2R LA MONDIALE | 92 pts |
| 13. | ROELANDTS Jürgen | 108 | OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO | 81 pts |
| 14. | MENCHOV Denis | 191 | RABOBANK | 81 pts |
| 15. | VINOKOUROV Alexandre | 9 | ASTANA | 78 pts |
| 16. | THOMAS Geraint | 39 | SKY PRO CYCLING | 74 pts |
| 17. | CHAVANEL Sylvain | 131 | QUICK STEP | 73 pts |
| 18. | ROCHE Nicolas | 81 | AG2R LA MONDIALE | 69 pts |
| 19. | EVANS Cadel | 121 | BMC RACING TEAM | 69 pts |
| 20. | VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen | 101 | OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO | 67 pts |
King of the Mountains Classification [white & red (polka) dotted jersey / maillot à pois rouges]
| Standing | Rider | Rider number bib | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | CHARTEAU Anthony | 153 | BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM | 143 pts |
| 2. | MOREAU Christophe | 166 | CAISSE D’EPARGNE | 128 pts |
| 3. | SCHLECK Andy | 11 | TEAM SAXO BANK | 116 pts |
| 4. | CONTADOR Alberto | 1 | ASTANA | 112 pts |
| 5. | CUNEGO Damiano | 201 | LAMPRE - FARNESE | 99 pts |
| 6. | SANCHEZ Samuel | 181 | EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI | 96 pts |
| 7. | CASAR Sandy | 62 | FDJ | 93 pts |
| 8. | PINEAU Jérôme | 135 | QUICK STEP | 92 pts |
| 9. | VOECKLER Thomas | 151 | BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM | 82 pts |
| 10. | FEDRIGO Pierrick | 154 | BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM | 72 pts |
Young* Riders' Classification (white jersey / maillot blanc)
| Standing | Rider | Rider number bib | Team | Time | Gaps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | SCHLECK Andy | 11 | TEAM SAXO BANK | 83h 32' 47" | |
| 2. | GESINK Robert | 195 | RABOBANK | 83h 39' 20" | + 06' 33" |
| 3. | KREUZIGER Roman | 44 | LIQUIGAS-DOIMO | 83h 42' 51" | + 10' 04" |
| 4. | EL FARES Julien | 174 | COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE | 84h 21' 35" | + 48' 48" |
| 5. | GAUTIER Cyril | 155 | BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM | 84h 54' 15" | + 1h 21' 28" |
| 6. |  FUGLSANG Jakob | 14 | TEAM SAXO BANK | 85h 11' 46" | + 1h 38' 59" |
| 7. | VALLS FERRI Rafael | 219 | FOOTON-SERVETTO | 85h 14' 10" | + 1h 41' 23" |
| 8. | ROLLAND Pierre | 156 | BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM | 85h 16' 14" | + 1h 43' 27" |
| 9. | ROJAS Jose Joaquin | 169 | CAISSE D’EPARGNE | 85h 33' 04" | + 2h 00' 17" |
| 10. | THOMAS Geraint | 39 | SKY PRO CYCLING | 85h 34' 49" | + 2h 02' 02" |
Team Classification
| Standing | Team | Time | Gaps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | TEAM RADIOSHACK | 250h 44' 40" | |
| 2. | CAISSE D’EPARGNE | 250h 53' 10" | + 08' 30" |
| 3. | RABOBANK | 251h 18' 19" | + 33' 39" |
| 4. | AG2R LA MONDIALE | 251h 22' 38" | + 37' 58" |
| 5. | OMEGA PHARMA - LOTTO | 251h 34' 56" | + 50' 16" |
| 6. | ASTANA | 251h 39' 20" | + 54' 40" |
| 7. | QUICK STEP | 251h 49' 47" | + 1h 05' 07" |
| 8. | EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI | 252h 00' 55" | + 1h 16' 15" |
| 9. | LIQUIGAS-DOIMO | 252h 09' 21" | + 1h 24' 41" |
| 10. | BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM | 252h 36' 46" | + 1h 52' 06" |
| 11. | SKY PRO CYCLING | 252h 53' 47" | + 2h 09' 07" |
| 12. | COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE | 253h 12' 28" | + 2h 27' 48" |
| 13. | TEAM SAXO BANK | 253h 17' 26" | + 2h 32' 46" |
| 14. | BMC RACING TEAM | 253h 18' 32" | + 2h 33' 52" |
| 15. | FDJ | 253h 42' 44" | + 2h 58' 04" |
| 16. | GARMIN - TRANSITIONS | 254h 06' 44" | + 3h 22' 04" |
| 17. | KATUSHA TEAM | 254h 09' 50" | + 3h 25' 10" |
| 18. | TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA | 254h 19' 52" | + 3h 35' 12" |
| 19. | CERVELO TEST TEAM | 254h 38' 21" | + 3h 53' 41" |
| 20. | FOOTON-SERVETTO | 255h 55' 14" | + 5h 10' 34" |
| 21. | LAMPRE - FARNESE | 256h 31' 09" | + 5h 46' 29" |
| 22. | TEAM MILRAM | 256h 45' 26" | + 6h 00' 46" |
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