Stage 17 Summary

The 239.5km stage from Pau to Revel – the longest of the 2005 Tour – began at 11.30am. There were 156 riders at the sign on but last year’s runner-up Kloden (TMO) abandoned early in the 17th stage (at 18km) because of injuries sustained in a crash during stage 16. _ There were four small climbs in the stage; the cat-3 Cote de Baleix (at 22.5km), the cat-4 Cote de Betbeze (at 88.5km), the cat-4 Cote de Capens (at 159.5km) and the cat-3 Cote de Saint-Ferreol (232.5km). There were also two intermediate sprints during the 17th stage; the first in Rabastens-de-Bigorre (at 44.5km), the second in Gardouch (at 198km). _ _ Establishing An Escape _ Although there were plenty of moves in the early phase of the stage – with Krivtsov (A2R) and Geslin (BTL) attacking in the first kilometer – no real escape was formed until after the first climb. The points at the Cote de Baleix were won by: Julich (CSC), Moos (PHO), Beloki (LSW) and Vinokourov (TMO). Landis (PHO) attacked just after the climb. He got a lead of 15” but was chased down by the peloton. Then Fedrigo went on the attack (at 45km). He was joined first by Arvesen (CSC), then Dekker (RAB) and Da Cruz (FDJ). These riders were then join by 14 others. The riders in the first successful escape group were: Rubiera, Savoldelli (DSC), Sevilla (TMO), Arvesen (CSC), Dekker (RAB), Davis (LSW), Hinault (C.A), Cioni (LIQ), Auge (COF), Tankink (QST), Fedrigo (BTL), Righi (LAM), Da Cruz, Lovkvist (FDJ), Grivko (DOM), Dumoulin and Gerrans (A2R). When the peloton was at 41km, it was 1’05” behind; at 46.5km, 2’40”. The average speed for the first hour was 47.3km/h. The 17 were allowed to build their lead: at 55km, 4’40”; at 59km, 6’05”; at 67, 7’40”… _ _ Apathy In The Peloton _ At the Cote de Betbeze, the points were won Grivko, Dumoulin and Righi. The 17 escapees were 10’25” ahead of the peloton at the 88.5km mark. The average speed for the 2nd hour was 36.3km/h. At 102km the peloton was 12’00” behind. The average speed for the 3rd hour was 39.6km/h. When the bunch reached the feedzone (at 134.5km) they were 18’50” behind – making today’s escape the biggest of the 2005 Tour. At the 3rd climb the points were won by: Grivko, Da Cruz and Dumoulin. The average speed for the 4th hour was 42.2km/h. The peloton was behind by 20’40” at the 153km mark. The escapees were 24 minutes ahead with 50km to go. _ _ Dekker Ignites Action _ With 50km to go, Dekker launched an attack. It was the first sign of aggression in the lead group since the escape was established. He was quickly chased down and Grivko lead the remnants of the escape group at the 193km mark by 10”. He was chased down by Gerrans, then Sevilla, Savoldelli, Tankink, Hinault, Arvesen and Righi. At the 2nd sprint the points were won by: Gerrans, Sevilla and Hinault. The nine others from the escape group were 20” behind. The peloton was at 24’15” (at the 198km mark - this was the maximum gain of the escapees). _ With 25km to go, the eight led nine by 1’30”. With 20km to go, Savoldelli, Sevilla, Arvesen, Hinault, Tankink, Righi, Grivko and Gerrans led the nine chasers by 2’15”. With 9km to go Tankink attacked the lead group. He was chased down first Grivko but then Savoldelli and Hinault raced into the lead on the final climb. They were pursued by Gerrans and Arvesen. At the top the points for the Cote de Saint-Ferreol were won by: Savoldelli, Hinault… Gerrans (at 10”) and Arvesen. These four riders came together 2km before the finish. _ _ Savoldelli Claims The Win & Vinokourov Attacks The Yellow Jersey _ Arvesen attacked the three others with 1,300m to go. He was caught by Savoldelli 300m to go. Savoldelli waited until 100m to go before sprinting into the lead and claiming his first stage victory in the Tour de France. There was a crash in the peloton with about 10km to go in the stage. This split the pack into several groups and prompted Vinokourov (TMO) to launch at attack before the final climb. He was matched by Popovych, Hincapie, Leipheimer, Ullrich, Armstrong, Rasmussen, Mazzoleni, Basso and Mancebo. This group was 22’28” behind Savoldelli and 20” ahead of a group including the riders in seventh and eighth place in the general classification - Landis (PHO) and Evans (DVL). Vinokourov moved from 9th overall to seventh because of his move. _ _ Armstrong (DSC) finished the 17th stage 23rd place (22’28” behind his team-mate Savoldelli). The Texan will wear the yellow jersey in stage 18.