2009 Tour de France stage 17 results (Frank Schleck wins stage)
2009 Tour de France stage 17 results, Frank Schleck wins AP/Laurent Rebours
The taste of victory is sweet for Frank Schleck (LUX) of Saxo Bank, who won today’s brutal stage 17 of the 2009 Tour de France, finishing the climb up the five difficult mountain passes in 4 hours, 53 minutes, 54 seconds. Frank and brother Andy unfolded their grand strategy as expected; heavily assaulting the mountain passes with their superior alpine climbing skills. Alberto Contador of Astana was second and Andy Schleck was third, with the same time as Frank.
The Schlecks took time from everyone today, but could not shake Alberto Contador, who stayed right with them until the end, vigorously defending the yellow jersey. Contador has a 2:26 lead over Andy Schleck, who has displaced Lance Armstrong for 2nd place overall. Frank Schleck is now 3rd overall, 3:25 behind Contador.
Lance Armstrong protected his team, staying on Bradley Wiggins of Garmin-Slipstream for much of the climbing until finally Wiggins fell back, while Lance sped ahead, gaining back at least 30 seconds during the descent, ultimately placing 5th in the stage. Armstrong has dropped to 4th overall, 3:55 behind his teammate Contador. Wiggins has dropped to 6th overall, 4:53 behind.
Andy Schleck continues to hold onto the white jersey, while Thor Hushovd of Cervelo Test Team and Franco Pellizotti of LIquigas keep the green and polka-dot jerseys, respectively.
Today’s stage shook up the general classification as predicted. There is now a 10-minute spread in the top ten, with Mikel Astarloza in 10th place, 10:50 behind Contador.
The stage 18 individual time trial coming up on Thursday will be a test of who has recovered best from the rigorous climbing during stage 17. The 40.5 km course takes riders around the beautiful lac d’Annecy in the city of Annecy. The course is flat with one category 3 climb.
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