Stage 17 Review
By Phil Liggett

This last day of the Tour de France in the Alps forced the leaders to cross swords and deliver their best effort on the road to the Grand Bornand, near Switzerland on the 17th stage.

The most difficult stage of the Tour from Bourg Saint Maurice, crossed five mountain peaks and by the penultimate climb of the Col de Romme, the Tour champions elect where all in a position to fight for their potential final places in Paris on Sunday.

There was no quarter given and, as the climb started, it was Luxembourger Frank Schleck who started the moves. It was anticipated by Astana and they quickly moved too, placing Lance Armstrong, leader Alberto Contador and Andreas Kloeden in the leading group.

The Schleck brothers Andy and Frank played all the cards they had, and by the last climb of the Col de la Colombiere they had cracked all except Contador.

Together the three rode the final kilometres, while Kloeden chased to rejoin after an attack by Contador had put his team mate on the defensive. Further back Armstrong rid himself of third-placed Bradley Wiggins and eventually caught Kloeden with the Italian Vincenzo Nibali.

Stage 18 on Thursday is a crucial 25 miles time trial and good performances from Armstrong and Wiggins could still alter the top three podium in Paris.
For Alberto Contador his 2min 26sec lead over Andy Schleck and near four minutes over Armstrong should be enough for him not to worry too much about a top performance in the so-=called "race of truth".

At the finish Frank Schleck won the stage from Contador and brother Andy.

Frank and Andy Schleck dedicated their success to injured team mate Jens Voigt, who crashed on stage 16 and is under observation in a Grenoble hospital. He suffered a fractured cheek bone and concussion in a 50mph fall.