Australian Cadel Evans was at a loss to explain his current form after he lost nearly 30 minutes in the Tour de France's Alpine stage to Le Grand Bornand yesterday. He is 32nd overall with four days left until the Tour's final stage in Paris, where he finished second overall in 2008.

"I don't really have an explanation. It was the first time in the Tour I where I spat nearly a half-litre of phlegm," said Evans.

Stage 17 from Bourg St Maurice to Le Grand Bornand covered five categorised climbs in 169.5 kilometres.

Evans lost ground to the race favourites on the first climb of the day, the Cormet de Roselend. "I was able to return to the main group, but I was only at the back. It is not what I am used to."

For images of stage 17 click here