Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen won his second stage at this year's Tour de France on Wednesday after attacking a breakaway on the final climb of the day.
The Sky cyclist has been beaten at the line on Tuesday by fellow countryman and breakaway companion Thor Hushovd, but on Stage 17 he crossed the line solo, 40 seconds ahead of the closest chaser.
Meanwhile, the contenders for the yellow jersey gained nearly half-a-minute on Frenchman Thomas Voeckler, who survived for his ninth day in the lead. He didn't show any weakness on the final climb, but he lost time as he ran off the road into a driveway on the way down.
Top riders
In spite of five category climbs in this first Alpine stage, eight of the top 10 retained their rankings. Defending champion Alberto Contador showed some life again by attacking on the final climb, but the Category 2 Colle de Pramartino was too short to put anyone in difficulty.
As they say, wait till tomorrow as the Tour de France crosses two high mountain passes and finishes on a mountaintop in Stage 18.
The 179km (111 miles) bike race from Gap to Pinerolo (Italy) opened with a 14-man break that gained more than 7 minutes on the peloton. They remained intact until Ruben Perez (Euskaltel Euskadi) attacked on the penultimate climb, the Sestrieres, and gained about a minute.
Perez stayed in front of the break until the base of the Colle de Pramartino, when first Sylvain Chavanel, then Boassan Hagen passed him. The Norwegian kept up his pace and led all the way to the finish line.
Yellow jersey
Meanwhile, the leaders stayed together in the “battle” for the yellow jersey. On the final climb, Contador attacked but his acceleration was quickly matched by rivals Andy Schleck (Leopard-Trek) and Cadel Evans (BMC), as Frank Schleck and the rest of the group caught up.
Contador attacked a second time without achieving an advantage, so he saved his third attack for the winding downhill into Pinerolo. Just as Voeckler misjudged a turn and almost lost the road, Contador accelerated. Another Spanish rider, Sammy Sanchez (Euskaltel Euskadi) soon caught him and they paced each other to the finish line.
But Voeckler continued to have troubles on the descent. He misjudged another turn and rolled off the road and into a driveway. He lost 27 seconds to his rivals before he could turn around and resume his speed.
Although Contador and Sanchez attempted to pick up time on their rivals, the Brothers Schleck and Evans caught up with the pair and they all finished at the same time. Meanwhile, Ivan Basso (Liquigas) lost some time on the descent to Damiano Cunego (Lampre) and fell to 8th place overall.
Top 10 overall
1 Thomas Voeckler, Team Europcar
2 Cadel Evans, BMC Racing Team — 1:18
3 Fränk Schleck, Leopard Trek — 1:22
4 Andy Schleck, Leopard Trek — 2:36
5 Samuel Sanchez, Euskaltel-Euskadi — 2:59
6 Alberto Contador, Saxo Bank — 3:15
7 Damiano Cunego, Lampre – ISD — 3:34
8 Ivan Basso, Liquigas-Cannondale — 3:49
9 Thomas Danielson, Team Garmin-Cervelo — 6:04
10 Rigoberto Uran, Sky — 7:36
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