Tour de France | Will Tadej Pogacar give space to the attackers on a tough mountain stage? – This is the route for stage 17

The first 130 kilometers are relatively flat, so it will be difficult for climbers to be on the right path during the day. If they succeed in the end, there is a good chance that they will be able to fight for victory.

Three climbs must be overcome in the finale. First comes the Col Bayard (6.9 kilometres at 7.2 percent), followed by the Col du Noyer (7.6 kilometres at 7.9 percent) and the finish on the Montée de Superdevoluy (3.9 kilometres at 5.0 percent).

Many of the climbers are now well clear. Pogacar won’t be worried about anyone from eighth onwards. Giulio Ciccone is eighth, more than fifteen minutes behind the Slovenian.

Behind him are plenty of riders who could try it. Everyone is also expected to want to defend their place in the top 10. If Ciccone leaves, Derek Gee, Santiago Buitrago and Felix Gall are likely to follow.

And what about Mathieu Jorgenson? The course is ideal for the Americans and perhaps the Visma-LAB climber will finally get some space, as his leader Jonas Vingegaard looks to have no chance of winning the Tour.

Ben Healy, Simon Yates, Guillaume Martin, Lawrence De Plus, Richard Carapaz, Jay Hindley and Javier Romo will be looking to get their chance on Wednesday, with Healy looking to make the most of the flat ground early in the race.

**** Ben Healy
*** Tadej Pogacar, Simon Yates
**Jonas Vingaard, Santiago Buitrago, Jay Hindley
* Derek Gee, Matthew Jorgenson, Lawrence D. Pless, Richard Carapaz