17th stage of the Tour de France is already underway, and it promises to be a challenging mountain stage with a finish at the summit of Col du Portet. The stage covers a total distance of 178.4 km, with the first 113 km serving as a warm-up before the real climbing begins. The riders will face two first-category climbs, Col de Peyresourde and Col de Val Louron-Azet, before tackling the final HC category climb to the finish.
The stage is expected to be a battleground for both stage victory and the overall classification. Riders like Bauke Mollema, Alejandro Valverde, Kenny Elissonde, Julian Alaphilippe, Ion Izaguirre, Jakob Fuglsang, and Sepp Kuss are likely to try to break away in the early stages to chase the stage win. Additionally, contenders for the polka dot jersey for the best climber, such as Wouter Poels, Michael Woods, Nairo Quintana, and Wout van Aert, may also be looking to join the breakaway.
In terms of the overall classification, Tadej Pogačar will be the main focus, as he has been dominant throughout the race. However, riders like Richard Carapaz, Jonas Vingegaard, and Rigoberto Uran will be looking to make up time and challenge Pogačar’s lead. Teams like Ineos Grenadiers and Jumbo-Visma will likely be active in trying to shake up the race and put pressure on the yellow jersey.
As the stage progresses, the riders will face challenging climbs and fast descents, making for an exciting and unpredictable race. The battle for stage victory and the fight for positions in the general classification will keep fans on the edge of their seats until the finish line at Col du Portet.
Stay tuned for live updates and analysis as the riders tackle the grueling 17th stage of the Tour de France.