Featured image courtesy of gettyimages
You could not have asked for a more gruelling stage at the Tour de France. 170 km from Grenoble over the Col de la Madeleine before a new summit finish at Méribel – the Col de la Loze at 2,304 m above sea level. Stage 17 was the ‘Queen’ stage, a crucial day in the race for the yellow jersey. Lots to play for, the GC positions, the polka-dot jersey changing shoulders and the fight for the maillot vert isn’t quite over just yet.
We are almost guaranteed a Slovenian one two on the podium although today we saw the master outplay the apprentice. Primož Roglič moves ever closer to securing his second Grand Tour title after some impressive tactics by Jumbo-Visma once again. While Tom Dumoulin knows he’s riding back to form after injury last year, it’s the mark of a true gent that he’s sacrificing himself for Roglič, but where the Dutchman is magnificent what about Sepp Kuss! The American made the perfect move to attack, draw out Roglič’s GC rivals and then fall back for his team leader to go on the offensive – it was genius Jumbo-Visma teamwork on full display not forgetting that this is Sepp Kuss’s Tour debut!
Jumbo-Visma are the strongest team in the race, they’ve built up to this moment in the last few years, and today they might have just struck the knockout blow. Three stages to go before Paris, Primož Roglič had the legs to fly away from everyone else leaving a few bike lengths away from his younger Slovenian compatriot. It was the first time we saw Tadej Pogačar in difficulty – losing 15 seconds plus bonuses to Roglič.
Take nothing away from the effort and determination Tadej Pogačar has shown at this year’s Tour. Debutant, the white jersey will definitely be his come Paris, and there’s still a chance he could claw back some time in the coming days. The time trial coming up serves us a reminder that Tadej Pogačar beat Primož Roglič at the Slovenian national championships to become time trial champion. You just never know what could happen if Primož Roglič has a bad day.
The fight for the podium has also been shaken up after today. Miguel Ángel López is another Tour de France debutant this year. A stage win at his first attempt isn’t half bad – the Colombian now in third overall, a podium place in his sights. Astana will be thrilled to see their team leader now within touching distance of Paris. Third at the Giro and third at the Vuelta in the past – Superman López continues to get better and better. At the moment he’s not quite at the peak to win a Grand Tour overall but still a huge threat to take third and deny his rivals.
Another good ride by Richie Porte today. Trek-Segafredo have been far from quiet at this Tour, Porte himself always fighting and always in and among the climbing elite. Miguel Ángel López might be third at the moment but Porte could steal his place via the Stage 20 time trial. Adam Yates is still behind. He lost some time today, a podium place now unlikely, but a stage win is not out of the question. The big loser today was EF’s Rigoberto Urán conceding 1 minute 59 seconds.
The team that will be most disappointed though is Bahrain-McLaren. You have to admire the guts on display today, the team setting pace up the Madeleine (Sonny Colbrelli what a machine!), keeping the pace on the final climb but then team leader Mikel Landa cracking. Hats off to the Basque rider today, who’s been given free reign at a Grand Tour for the first time in his career, team leadership and should be proud at his teammates today. Bringing in former Team Sky coach Rod Ellingworth as general manager, it’s no surprise that the Ellingworth effect to take risks and have courage was the motivation today. Landa gave it a go even though it backfired – brave move, tried his best, deserves our praise.
As one Colombian won the stage today another did not start. Egan Bernal has abandoned the race, the defending champion suffering for the past four stages, the reality now that Team Ineos’s dominance of the Tour de France is over. 2014 was the last time the Ineos/Sky machine didn’t win the yellow jersey – that’s now fact and a new challenge awaits Sir Dave Brailsford. Lots of questions about team selection but now Bernal is out of the race, the tactics change to target a stage win. Great to see Richard Carapaz giving it a go in the breakaway again, the current holder of the Giro rightly has that title to his name after holding out for so long on the final climb.
The green jersey fight is almost complete for Sam Bennett. The sprinters all made the time cut and barring them not making the cut-off tomorrow, every fast man should make it to Paris. Benoit Cosnefroy’s hold of the polka-dot jersey is over as Tadej Pogačar now leads the competition.
One final point to make are some idiots on the side of the road not wearing face masks. The President of France Emmanuel Macron was special guest today, so what a stage to show some stupidity from minorities not adhering to guidelines with the Tour held during a pandemic. Wear your face masks!
The final stage in the Alps tomorrow. Expect Tadej Pogačar to attack tomorrow if he can to close the gap on Primož Roglič before the time trial and Miguel Ángel López to do the same. The King of the Mountains competition will be intriguing and Sam Bennett just needs to get over the climbs as well as scoring some further points.
We might have got an answer as to who will win the 2020 Tour de France today. Primož Roglič is almost in sight of the Champs-Élysées, the taste of a champagne procession within touching distance.
THE CHAIN GANG 