Tour de France: Stage 17
Embrun - Chorges (ITT) 32 km
Not your typical test
The turquoise waters of Lake Serre-Ponçon, one of the biggest manmade reservoirs in Europe, provides the backdrop for an intriguing time trial. Befitting a Tour that should suit climbers, this 32km test features two second-category climbs. The Côte de Puy-Sanières and the Côte de Réallon may not be enough to tip the balance in favour of the specialist climbers but they will certainly help. The likes of Joaquim Rodríguez and Nairo Quintana shouldn't lose much time on this course that has more up than down.
Who'll be in the running for the win? Chris Froome, Alberto Contador and BMC duo Cadel Evans and Tejay van Garderen have the climbing and time trial pedigree to give them an edge. The Australian and the Spaniard have a strong record in this kind of test. Yet none of the contenders are likely to gain or lose much time, which will set things up nicely for the trio of Alpine stages ahead, beginning with one of the most eagerly awaited stages for years.
Alberto Contador edged out Fabian Cancellara to win the Annecy time trial in the 2009 Tour and confirm his overall victory.
Barry Hoban: "This is billed as a time trial for climbers but I don't see it that way. It suits them more than a flat course but Wiggins could still gain time as the climbs aren't hard enough to penalise him. But the favourite for today probably has to be Froome based on his recent form."
Local history
Based on past success in a hilly lakeside time trial, Alberto Contador will be among the favourites today. At Annecy in 2009, towards the end of an attritional race where his biggest challenge was dealing with divisions within his Astana team, the Spaniard triumphed and cemented his hold on the yellow jersey.
Maps and profiles courtesy of ASO
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/j0riqebpsw1715769462.png)
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/j0riqebpsw1715769462.png)
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Most Popular
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Cycling Olympic and World records
The track times to beat in Paris -
Matteo Moschetti hospitalised with multiple fractures after being hit by truck driver
Italian suffers fractured collarbone, two neck vertebrae fractures, and cuts and nerve damage in his face after incident on Tuesday -
Stock shortages, equipment registration and the latest marginal gains - Talking Olympic Games track tech with the Dutch head mechanic
Chatting 200 psi tubulars, track air pressure sensors and the need to win ahead of the Paris Olympic games next month -
Van Rysel RCR review: It cements the brand amongst the big players, but is it actually that good value?
A true performance machine from the budget brand, but the bike doesn't offer the value the brand name suggests