Tour's Stage 17 Is Epic Battle For Race Lead

Stage 17 of this year's Tour de France was expected to be one of the most exciting stages and it certainly didn't disappoint. On the way up the extremely difficult last climb of the day, Alberto Contador, Spain (Astana) and Andy Schleck, Luxembourg (Saxo Bank) removed all doubt that they are the two best riders in the Tour this year -- by far. They absolutely destroyed the peloton with the incredible pace they set on that climb.

The day started out with a breakaway, but none of the riders in that breakaway were anywhere near the leaders of the race in time (the closest one being over 54 minutes behind). The peloton let them go for a while and then started to reel them in on the second category 1 climb of the day. The last climb (an unrated one) began at a little over 18 kilometers from the finish. For the next 8 kilometers the peloton gradually reduced the time between themselves and the breakaway.

At 10 kilometers from the finish Andy Schleck made his move and broke ahead of the peloton, followed closely by Alberto Contador. They passed the last rider of the breakaway about 8 kilometers from the finish, and from there to the finish line it was just a race between the two of them. Schleck tried several times to ride away from Contador, but could not do it. Contador also tried to ride away, but Schleck remained right with him. In the end they crossed the finish line together, with Contador allowing Schleck to finish first and win the stage.

Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver, Spain (Katusha) finished in third place more than a minute and a quarter behind the Schleck and Contador. American Christopher Horner (Radio Shack) had a great ride today and moved himself into the top ten, while his teammate and fellow American, Levi Leipheimer had a difficult time and dropped down to 13th place overall. Canadian Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Transitions) also had a great ride and moved up in the overall standings.

Since there are no more mountain stages in this Tour (or climbing points to be given), the contest for the Polka Dot Jersey in over and the top three finishers are listed below. Radio Shack gained even more time over Caisse D'Epargne in the team standings, and barring some kind of unexpected disaster, should now ride to the team championship. The Green Jersey will be determined by the two remaining flat stages (tomorrow and the ride into Paris on Sunday).

Since Schleck could not gain any time on Contador in stage 17, he remains 8 seconds behind. This is the closest race for the Yellow Jersey in the history of the Tour. Schleck will have to have the ride of his life in Saturday's time trial (stage 19) to take the Yellow Jersey away from Contador, as Contador is generally regarded as the better time-trialer.

Stage 18 is a flat ride of 198 kilometers from Salies-De-Bearn to Bordeaux. Unless something truly weird happens, it will be another day for the sprinters to battle for the Green Jersey. Here are the current standings:

YELLOW JERSEY (Overall Leaders)

1. Alberto Contador, Spain (Astana)

2. Andy Schleck, Luxembourg (Saxo Bank).....0' 08"

3. Samuel Sanchez, Spain (Euskaltel-Euskadi).....3' 32"

4. Denis Menchov, Russia (Rabobank).....3' 53"

5. Jurgen Van Den Broeck, Belgium (Omega-Lotto).....5' 27"

6. Robert Gesink, Netherlands (Rabobank).....6' 41"

7. Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver, Spain (Katusha).....7' 03"

8. Ryder Hesjedal, Canada (Garmin-Transitions).....9' 18"

9. Roman Kreuziger, Czech Rep. (Liquigas-Doimo).....10'12"

10. Christopher Horner, USA (Radio Shack).....10' 37"

13. Levi Leipheimer, USA (Radio Shack).....14' 24"

23. Lance Armstrong, USA (Radio Shack).....37' 58"

GREEN JERSEY (Sprinters)

1. Thor Hushovd, Norway (Cervelo).....191 pts

2. Alessandro Petacchi, Italy (Lampre-Farnese).....187 pts

3. Mark Cavendish, Great Britain (HTC-Columbia).....162 pts

4. Jose Joaquin Rojas, Spain (Caisse D'Epargne).....149 pts

5. Robbie McEwen, Australia (Kathusha).....138 pts

6. Edvald Boasson Hagen, Norway (Sky Pro).....132 pts

POLKA DOT JERSEY (Climbers) - podium finishers

1. Anthony Charteau, France (Bouygues Telecom).....143 pts

2. Christophe Moreau, France (Caisse D'Epargne).....128 pts

3. Andy Schleck, Luxembourg (Saxo Bank).....116 pts

TEAM STANDINGS

1. Radio Shack

2. Caisse D'Epargne.......8' 30"

3. Rabobank.......33' 39"

4. AG2R La Mondiale.......37' 58"

5. Omega-Lotto.......50' 16"