23/07/2009 - Le Tour 2009 - Stage 17 Bourg-Saint-Maurice - Le Grand-Bornand 169.5km
Whatever you do, don't refer to Bradley Wiggins as a track cyclist. The British Garmin Slipstream rider, famous for his 2 track golds in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has shed weight and dramatically improved his climbing since leaving his track racing days behind. This lighter, leaner Wiggins was already a World class time trialist, but thanks to his climbing ability, he is now a good all round cyclist and a contender for a podium place in this year's Tour de France - although Lance Armstrong may have something to say about that.
If anything was going to test Wiggins, it would be the Alps stages and Mont Ventoux, the latter of which looms large for stage 20. If form was anything to go on, stage 27 from Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Le Grand-Bornand would play into the hands of the Frank Schleck and Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) and yellow jersey Alberto Contador (Astana). Predictably enough, the Schleck brothers attacked, and only Contador could respond. Both 7 time winner Lance Armstrong and Bradley Wiggins were left behind as the trio disappeared up the mountain side.
As the trio approached the finish line, neither Andy Schleck nor Alberto Contador made an attempt to win the stage, it was left to Frank to stand on top of the podium - clearly a gentleman's agreement had been forged despite Contador saying to the contrary. The stage would see both Andy and Frank Schleck move up on GC to 2nd and 3rd respectively, with Lance Armstrong dropping to fourth and Bradley Wiggins to fifth overall.
Stage 17 Result
1. SCHLECK Frank (TEAM SAXO BANK) - 4h 53' 54"
2. CONTADOR Alberto (ASTANA) - 4h 53' 54" (+ 00' 00")
3. SCHLECK Andy (TEAM SAXO BANK) - 4h 53' 54" (+ 00' 00")
4. NIBALI Vincenzo (LIQUIGAS) - 4h 56' 12" (+ 02' 18")
5. ARMSTRONG Lance (ASTANA) - 4h 56' 12" (+ 02' 18")
6. KLÖDEN Andréas (ASTANA) - 4h 56' 21" (+ 02' 27")
7. WIGGINS Bradley (GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM) - 4h 57' 01" (+ 03' 07")
8. MOREAU Christophe (AGRITUBEL) - 4h 58' 03" (+ 04' 09")
9. VANDE VELDE Christian (GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM) - 4h 58' 03" (+ 04' 09")
10. PAURIOL Rémi (COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE) - 5h 00' 04" (+ 06' 10")
General Classification after Stage 17
1. CONTADOR Alberto (ASTANA) - 72h 27' 09"
2. SCHLECK Andy (TEAM SAXO BANK) - 72h 29' 35" (+ 02' 26")
3. SCHLECK Frank (TEAM SAXO BANK) - 72h 30' 34" (+ 03' 25")
4. ARMSTRONG Lance (ASTANA) - 72h 31' 04" (+ 03' 55")
5. KLÖDEN Andréas (ASTANA) - 72h 31' 53" (+ 04' 44")
6. WIGGINS Bradley (GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM) - 72h 32' 02" (+ 04' 53")
7. NIBALI Vincenzo (LIQUIGAS) - 72h 32' 18" (+ 05' 09")
8. VANDE VELDE Christian (GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM) - 72h 35' 17" (+ 08' 08")
9. LE MEVEL Christophe (FRANCAISE DES JEUX) - 72h 36' 28" (+ 09' 19")
10. ASTARLOZA Mikel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI) - 72h 37' 59" (+ 10' 50")
Points Classification after Stage 17
1. HUSHOVD Thor (CERVELO TEST TEAM) - 230 pts
2. CAVENDISH Mark (TEAM COLUMBIA) - HTC 200 pts
3. ROJAS Jose Joaquin (CAISSE D´EPARGNE) - 126 pts
Mountain Classification after Stage 17
1. PELLIZOTTI Franco (LIQUIGAS) - 196 pts
2. MARTINEZ Egoi (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI) - 118 pts
3. FEDRIGO Pierrick (BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM) - 97 pts
Young Classification after Stage 17
1. SCHLECK Andy (TEAM SAXO BANK) - 72h 29' 35"
2. NIBALI Vincenzo (LIQUIGAS) - 72h 32' 18" (+ 02' 43")
3. KREUZIGER Roman (LIQUIGAS) - 72h 38' 01" (+ 08' 26")
Team Classification after Stage 17
1. ASTANA - 215h 55' 13"
2. GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM - 216h 11' 25" (+ 16' 12")
3. AG2R LA MONDIALE - 216h 11' 46" (+ 16' 33")
