The route : discover the stage 17
After the second rest day in Pau, the riders will set out for their final battle. Well, on the face of it at least… Last year, on Mont Ventoux, what was expected to be all out combat ended up as a damp squib, with all the pretenders waiting for the others to make a move. On this stage, perhaps there will be struggle for the top if Contator is in second place with 30 seconds to make up, but if he has a five minute lead on the rest, then it is as good as over. Following the Marie-Blanque climb, we will head back down into the valley. After only three kilometres of flat, we will immediately get to grips with the Soulor, a long, long, long climb, almost 25-kilometres long! The Aubisque pass is just next to it, then the riders will head down before tackling the Tourmalet pass. At the highest point of this Tour, the Henri-Desgrange memorial trophy will be awarded.
Roll of honor : Result after stage 17
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"
Andy Schleck: King of the Col du Tourmalet
The scene was set for an epic show down on the celebrated slopes of the col du Tourmalet where the yellow jersey would be decided. There is a time trial yet to come so no one knows if Alberto Contador will be able to claim a third title – as he has a lead of just eight seconds – but judging on last year’s TT form, the likely winner of the 97th Tour is going to be the runner-up on the Tourmalet.
Andy Schleck had to attack! He had to be distance between him and Contador. He tried. He danced on the pedals. He dropped all his rivals… except for one. Everything Andy could do, Alberto could do too. Out of the mist at the 2,115m high mountain they emerged, the finish line in sight and the yellow jersey held the same position he held for most of the final 10.5km – after the initial acceleration by Schleck – just on the wheel. And that’s how they crossed the line. Second overall, first. First overall, second. Contador is in control of the Tour but Schleck is the king of the col due Tourmalet.
The heavens opened up on the eve of the final day in the mountains for the 2010 Tour de France. Rain fell heavily overnight and early in the day and the peloton started on wet roads and drizzle and temperatures around 17 degrees. The official start was at 12.30pm with 172 riders at the sign on. The stage included four climbs – the cote de Renoir (cat-4 at 13.5km), the col de Marie-Blanque (cat-1 at 56.5km), the col du Souler (cat-1 at 117.5km) and the final high pass of the 97th Tour, the ‘Hors Category’ col du Tourmalet.
The Top 10 In Stage 17
The top 10 in stage 17 is: 1. Andy Schleck (LUX) SAX - 174km in 5h03’29" 2. Alberto Contador (ESP) AST at same time 3. Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP) KAT at 1’18" 4. Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) GRM at 1’27" 5. Samuel Sanchez (ESP) EUS at 1’32" 6. Denis Menchov (RUS) RAB at 1’40" 7. Robert Gesink (NED) RAB at 1’40" 8. Chris Horner (USA) RSH at 1’45" 9. Jurgen van den Broeck (BEL) OLO 1’48" 10. Roman Krueziger (CZE) LIQ 2’14"
And tomorrow it is on to Bordeaux!
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