Tour de France (2012) Photos; Stage 17: Bagnères-de-Luchon → Peyragudes, 144 km
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Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and teammates planning their big attack today		share this photo
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) was feeling pretty good this morning in Bagnères-de-Luchon		share this photo
Don't know why Mark Cavendish (Sky) was smiling this morning before the final mountain stage		share this photo
Race leader Bradley Wiggins (Sky) was ready to roll again this morning		share this photo
We are underway		share this photo
17 km into the stage with the peloton rolling passed riverside property in Saint-Beat		share this photo
As part of the break, yesterday's stage winner, Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) won the first three KOMs then beat Fredrik Kessiakoff (Astana) on Port de Bales to virtually wrap up the last remaining jersey competition		share this photo
Team Sky and Bradley Wiggins were once again in control on this stage and were never in trouble		share this photo
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) attacked the break on Port de Bales and then soloed up the finishing climb to Peyragudes through rows of Basque fans		share this photo
Norway was pretty well represented as well, but gave Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) more room than the Basque fans		share this photo
Christopher Froome (Sky) and Bradley Wiggins (Sky) dropped Vincenzo Nibali and then went after Valverde		share this photo
Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) couldn't mustard a credible attack today		share this photo
Alejandro Valverde gives Movistar their first win of this year's race		share this photo
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) wins his first Tour de France stage since 2005		share this photo
You would think that necklace would slow him down		share this photo
		share this photo
Chris Froome (Sky) probably would have caught Valverde, but he wasn't about to drop his teammate and smiling race leader in the process. They crossed 2nd and 3rd + 19s.		share this photo
A big smirk on the face of Bradley Wiggins who knows with three stages still remaining, he has all but wrapped up this year's race. Froome, on the other hand, just gave away a stage win which you never do according to ex-pros.		share this photo
4th Thibaut Pinot (FDJ-Big Mat) + 22s		share this photo
Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) needed to gain big time today, but instead lost time. He finished 7th + 37s.		share this photo
Anothee fine ride by Tejay Van Garderen (BMC Racing) who finished 8th today and barring a crash in the final three days should win the Best Young Rider competition		share this photo
9th Christopher Horner (RadioShack-Nissan) + 1:02		share this photo
Another bad day for last year's winner, 18th Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) + 2:10		share this photo
A panorama of the gruppetto climbing to the Peyragudes ski resort		share this photo
		share this photo
Your stage 17 winner, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar)		share this photo
Also, voted the most aggressive rider today		share this photo
Bradley Wiggins can barely hold back a big smile now		share this photo
Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) will win the KOM competition		share this photo
It's all downhill from here for the Jersey leaders. When was the last time all the Jerseys at the Tour were decided with three stages still remaining? In addition, Saturday's long ITT will, surprisingly, have little impact on the GC Top 10.		share this photo
Bradley Wiggins should have no need to look over his shoulder now		share this photo
Tour de France (2012) Photos; Stage 17: Bagnères-de-Luchon → Peyragudes, 144 km
« Stage 16 photos	return to: « Tour de France 2012 Live Dashboard  |  Tour de France (2012) photo gallery	Stage 18 photos »