Sports

Tour de France Stage 17 Frank Schleck Crosses Line First

by Barbara McPherson | July 22, 2009 at 07:58 am

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Tour de France stage 17 saw Frank Schleck(Saxobank) cross the line first followed by Alberto Contador(Astana) then Andy Schlek(Saxobank). The Schleck brothers set the pace for the stage from early on in their bid to shake off Bradley Wiggins(Garmin). While Lance Armstrong(Astana) finished fifth, the team remains strong contenders for the podium finish on Sunday.

Stage Finish in Order: Frank Schleck(Saxobank), Alberto Contador(Astana), Andy Schleck(Saxobank), Vincenzo Nibali(Liquigas), Lance Armstrong(Astana), Andreas Kloden(Astana)

The route from Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Le Grand-Bernand was a brutal 169.5 km that saw the cyclists top five mountains. The weather was a factor in the first part of the stage with rain soaking the pavement.

Thor Hushovd(Cervelo) defended his right to the green jersey by riding with the breakaway group and then accelerating to the front to gain all the sprint points and some King of the Mountain points for the day. He now has 30 sprint points on Mark Cavendish.

Andy and Frank Schlek set a fast pace on the steep slopes of Col de Romme but couldn't shake the two Astana riders, Alberto Contador and Andreas Kloden. A failed acceleration by Alberto Contador saw Andreas Kloden get left behind. Lance Armstrong stayed on the wheel of Bradley Wiggins on the ascent who is a real danger in the time trials tomorrow. When it looked like Bradley Wiggins was flagging, Lance Armstrong, on the steepest part of the course, accelerated away and left to chase the leaders. He was later joined by Vincenzo Nibali who crossed forth.

Overall standing have changed. Overall Tour Standings.

1. Alberto Contador (Astana) 75:27:04

2. Andy Schleck (Saxobank) + 2:26

3. Frank Schleck (Saxobank) + 3:25

4. Lance Armstrong (Astana) + 3:55

5. Andreas Kloden (Astana) + 4:44

Franco Pellizotti(Liquigas) keeps the polka dot jersey for King of the Mountain.

Three riders crashed today. Denis Menchov(Rabobank) crashed twice but finished the stage. Amets Txurruka(Euskaltel-Euskadi) crashed at the same curve but continued. Not so lucky was Kenny Van Hummel(Skil-Shimano) who was evacuated to hospital.

Cyril Dessil(Agritubel) has withdrawn from the Tour.

Stage 18 is the time trial. It is a 40.5 km route from Annecy to Annecy.

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Paschen

at 09:17 on July 22nd, 2009

Thank you for this Barbara. Great coverage of TdF.

mbaumgartner

at 10:20 on July 22nd, 2009

The Schlecks promised an attack and delivered - it was great to see. Astana may have words for Contador after he dropped his own teammate (Kloden) on the final pitch of the Columbiere - poor tactics that actually also distanced Armstrong further.

Sorry to hear Van Hummel crashed - he was the Lanterne Rouge for several days and dragged himself solo through the last mountain stages after being dropped early - but he needed to take pretty big risks on the descents to stay within the time limits.

One to watch: Cancellara coasted the final kilometers... in preparation for a longish flat time trial around the lake at Annecy.

Amy Judd

at 12:35 on July 22nd, 2009

Do you think Lance Armstrong is going to win this year? I haven't been watching it, just reading reports here, but I'm always interested to see if he's going to win.

Barbara McPherson

at 14:48 on July 22nd, 2009

He's been playing the ultimate teammate, sacrificing his time to adhere to the strategy of what is best for the team. His performance on the last two days showed what reserves he has. On the other hand Alberto Contador seems to be playing a solo act. Today he unhitched his teammate with a solo move of his own when the move wasn't necessary to retain the yellow jersey. From what I've seen, it looks like Lance Armstrong could make the podium in Paris, but if he doesn't it will be because he's putting the team finish first.