Tour de France 2005: Stage 17 Preview

The Tour's longest stage is an opportunity for strong riders with the ability to kick at the finish to come out and make their presence felt after days dominated by the climbers and GC heavyweights. Look for McEwen to be back in the thick of it, and Thor Hushovd to spread his wings after tough days hanging out the back up the climbs. With two cat 3 and cat 4 cols, this stage is surprisingly tough due to its distance and the regularity of the smaller climbs. There won't be much movement on GC as riders in with a shot at the overall title will take the opportunity to relax before the final time trial and the run into Paris.