Bonjour and welcome to the Cyclingnews live coverage of stage 17 of the 2022 Tour de France.
As the Cyclingnews blimp takes height, the riders are signing on and preparing for the second of three intense days in the Pyrenees.
Today's stage is short at just 129.7km but it includes 4 major climbs and a mountain finish that ends on the Peyragudes altiport.
(Image credit: ASO)
UAE Team Emirates are one of the last teams to sign on but in some breaking news, the team confirms that Rafa Majka will not start.
"Unfortunately Rafal Majka will not start stage 17 of the Tour de France today," the team said.
Dr. Adrian Rotunno (Medical Director) explained more:
"Majka sustained a strain injury to his thigh after some mechanical trouble on stage 16 when his chain broke.
"This resulted in a high-grade partial thickness tear of his right quadriceps muscle, and unfortunately due to the muscle damage is unable to ride."
(Image credit: GONZALO FUENTESPOOL AFP via Getty Images)
The loss of Majka means Pogacar has just three teammates to help him challenge Jonas Vingegaard.
They are Mikkel Bjerg, Marc Hirschi and Brandon McNulty.
(Image credit: Sprint Cycling Agency)
Is this today's stage winner? Well, he seems in a good mood.
🇫🇷 @ThibautPinot en grande condition avant le départ !🤣#TDF2022 pic.twitter.com/s0kZ4nYdItJuly 20, 2022
Israel Premier Tech are the last team to sign on after Hugo Houle's stage win yesterday.
The Canadian gets a special cheer for his emotional victory.
(Image credit: Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
Today's stage starts in Saint-Gaudens in the Haute-Garonne, on the plain between Pau and Toulouse.
It is 28C as the riders line-up for the roll out.
This is what the riders face today.
Another difficult day on the roads of the #TDF2022 with a finish in Peyragudes that promises fireworks! ⛰Une nouvelle journée difficile sur la route du #TDF2022 avec une arrivée à Peyragudes qui promet d'être mouvementée ! ⛰ pic.twitter.com/tB6D6pxfKRJuly 20, 2022
The climbs are not high but are historic in the Tour and always inspire some intense racing.
The jersey leaders have a special place on the start grid.
With two minutes to go, Vingegaard and van Aert line-up in the yellow and green jerseys. They're joined by their big rival Tadej Pogacar.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
As well as Rafa Majka, Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) is another non-starter today.
After having mild symptoms this morning, a test showed he has COVID-19, his Lotto-Soudal team said.
C'est Parti!
The riders roll out for the stage. Bon route le gars!
Today the riders cover 3.5km of neutralised riding before the stage starts.
The opening 50km of the stage, until Arreau, are flat but we expect them to fast and full of attacks.
Allez!
Christian Prudhomme drops the flag and the stage is underway.
We immediately have attacks, launched by Michael Woods.
Neilson Powless attacks again, keen to try to get into a break.
