And so the Tinkoff-Saxo show continues. Following one of Michael Rogers’ best days of his career, Rafal Majka claimed his second Tour de France win today on stage 17. The Polish rider also increased his lead in the Mountains Classification over Joaquim Rodriguez by a considerable margin. In the race for the podium, it was a fantastic day for Jean-Christophe Péraud’s who came in forth (the only rider who could follow Nibali up the final climb) and only eight seconds from third spot overall behind Thibaut Pinot.
Stage 18 is the Tour’s final mountain day remaining and traverses over the iconic Col du Tourmalet and a summit finish on Hautacam [stage profile]. It’s only 145 kilometers which should make it a stage full of fireworks. If this doesn’t get you in the mood, then nothing will!
Read the full race report and results from Stage 17 of the 2014 Tour de France here.
Enjoy the photos from stage 17 courtesy of BrakeThrough Media (follow on Instagram and Twitter) and Cor Vos.
- Vincenzo Nibali is a comfortable 5:26 over second placed Alejandro Valverde, but he said today, “I’ve got a nice lead on GC, but considering tomorrow’s stage to Hautacam and the time trial, as I was feeling good, I’ve preferred to go and gain a few more seconds and be even more serene.”
- It’s always tough to tell Richie Porte’s grimace from a smile, but this one looks like a smile.
- With 7.8km to go Rafal Majka, Joaquim Rodriguez and Ion Izagirre (Movistar) pulled clear of the chase group, being joined by Frank Schleck.
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- Rafal Majka extended his lead in the Mountains Competition over Joaquim Rodriguez and with tomorrow’s stage being the last one in the high mountains, it’s likely that Majka will hold on to the polka dot jersey.
- Not a good day for Marcel Kittel or any of the sprinters. Kittel and most of the other fast men of the race came in almost half an hour down from Rafal Majka.
- Majka caught Visconti at the head of the race with 4.2km to the summit, the pair riding together for a few kilometres with a gap of 1:33 over Nibali and Peraud. And then, with 2.5km remaining, Majka made his final attack for the day, shelling Giovanni Visconti and climbing his way towards a second stage victory. Visconti said after the race, “I tried hard and, at a certain point I thought I could repeat last year’s action from the Galibier but we have to compliment Majka, he had already won a stage, he was wearing the KOM jersey and that always gives you an extra bit of energy. Once I saw him coming from behind, I knew it would be very difficult.”
- A frustrated Joaquim Rodriguez.
- Jean-Christophe Péraud who came in forth today was the only rider who could follow Nibali up the final climb). Péraud is now only eight seconds away from third place overall behind Thibaut Pinot.
- Rafal Majka solos to victory.
- Rafal Majka was seventh and sixth in the past two editions of the Giro d’Italia. It was initially not thought that he would ride the Giro-Tour double at just 24 years of age, but he was announced as competing after team-mate Roman Kreuziger was sidelined over biological passport concerns.
- Frank Schleck currently sits in 13th place in the overall classification. Trek Racing Sports Director Kim Anderson said, “We had a plan to try and win the stage. It went as we wanted, but in the end it’s the legs that talk. Someone from the breakaway won the stage, so it was possible. Fränk did not have it to go with Majka, who is a very good rider - I think the best climber here. And Haimar paid a little bit for yesterday’s effort when he was alone after his puncture. But he is still there, and we still believe that he can move up into top 10.”
- Bernhard Eisel and Koen de Kort coming across the finish line 23:32 behind but in good spirits.
- Laurens Ten Dam (Belkin) came in 14th today and is sitting 8th in the overall classification.
- Marcel Kittel came in last place in today’s stage almost 29 minutes down.
- Vincenzo Nibali goes into the final mountain stage tomorrow with a comfortable lead on the General Classification.