Tour de France live in the ticker: Crunchy mountain finish in the Pyrenees – 17th stage demands everything from Peloton

More attempts to attack the yellow jersey are expected from Pogacar in particular after his pinpricks fizzled out on stage 16 and bounced off the teamwork of Jumbo-Visma.

For Geschke, however, the mountain jersey is at stake, which the German climber von Cofidis will wear for the eighth time on the section to Peyragudes. The day before, Geschke collected important points when he won the penultimate mountain classification at Port de Lers (1st category). He was even able to extend his lead in the classification.

On the 17th stage, the peloton can expect a total of four mountain classifications, three of which belong to the 1st category. Will Geschke withstand the pressure and defend his jersey?

The starting signal will be given at 1:15 p.m. in Saint-Gaudens.

Eurosport.de accompanies the 17th stage live in the ticker.

67 km – 16 men behind Pinot and Lutsenko

16 men have gathered almost 20 seconds behind the two front runners. Among them is Simon Geschke, but also his challenger Giulio Ciccone. There is also a teammate with Pierre-Luc Perichon for Geschke and Quinn Simmons for Ciccone. The German Georg Zimmermann (Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert) and the Austrians Patrick Konrad (Bora – hansgrohe) and Gregor Mühlberger (Movistar) will also be there.

The peloton is a minute behind and is led by Jumbo – Visma.

69 km – Chaser quartet with Mühlberger

Rigoberto Uran (EF Education – EasyPost), Andreas Leknessund (Team DSM), Dylan van Baarle (Ineos Grenadiers) and Gregor Mühlberger (Movistar) break away to form a first chasing quartet 15 seconds behind Lutsenko and Pinot. Behind them is another group of more than ten men, which also includes Simon Geschke and Giulio Ciccone.

72 km – Boivin and Doull caught, Lutsenko and Pinot attack

The two leaders are back in position and the next riders are attacking – now really strong climbers: Alexey Lutsenko (Astana Qazaqstan) and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama – FDJ) have broken away from the field, in which Cofidis and DSM set the pace.

74 km – Geschke orients himself close to the front

On the mountain, Simon Geschke can now be seen far ahead in the field. Since the group has not formed up to this point, the following now applies to the Freiburger: be careful who breaks away here! If someone is dangerous for the jersey, they have to come with them.

78 km – 25 seconds for Doull and Boivin

The twelve-kilometre climb to the Col d’Aspin, with an average gradient of 6.5 percent, begins in two kilometres. Boivin and Doull remain at the front of the race, 25 seconds clear of the peloton, which is far from calm. The group of the day will definitely only form on the ascent.

85 km – More than two won’t get away

The next duo to get a gap: Owain Doull (EF Education – EasyPost) and Guillaume Boivin (Israel – Premier Tech). The peloton lets the two go a little first. But whenever more than two riders attack, the big crowd immediately chases after them.

97 km – Philipsen wins the intermediate sprint

Alpecin-Deceuninck runs a real little leadout for Jasper Philipsen and the Belgian then rolls first across the line in the intermediate sprint – uncontested. Because no one ever argued against it. Wout Van Aert then crosses the line second.

98 km – Cofidis and Alpecin-Deceuninck bring group back

Ciccone is also up front – and that’s why Cofidis immediately puts himself in the pursuit in the field and closes the gap again with the help of Alpecin-Deceuninck. Everything is together again, just before the intermediate sprint, which is waiting in 1,000 meters.

101 km – Woods and Konrad attack

Van Baarle and Swift are provided and Krists Neilands picks up the pace at the front. The Israel Premier Tech pro sets up an attack from Michael Woods and the Canadian immediately goes over it as planned. Patrick Konrad and three others pull on his rear wheel – including Tom Pidcock and Wout Van Aert.

109 km – Van Baarle and Swift two at the front

Dylan van Baarle (Ineos Grenadiers) and Connor Swift (Arkéa – Samsic) have a twelve second lead over the peloton. The duo went after Neilson Powless (EF Education – EasyPost) who attacked but then just couldn’t follow through with them.

115 km – Ciccone keeps trying

Giulio Ciccone is probably one of the most dangerous riders for Simon Geschke’s mountain jersey. The Italian, along with his Trek Segafredo team-mates, keeps trying to break away in the early stages today. So far, however, this has not been successful. The peloton is still closed.

123 km to drive – Eight men with the first gap

At high speed, one driver after the other attacked – and Simon Geschke’s team Cofidis played ‘man marking’ today. A Cofidis driver immediately jumps in with every opponent who is dangerous for the mountain jersey. For example, Ion Izagirre blocks an attack from Neilson Powless.

Now an eight-man group has formed with a five-second lead. But while I’m writing this, the distance is already getting smaller again and the field is closing up immediately.

1:22 p.m. – Start free!

The field is in a hurry. We pass kilometer 0 three minutes earlier than planned – and the starting signal is given by the lowering of the flag by tour boss Christian Prudhomme. The first attacks follow immediately!

1:15 p.m. – Departure from Saint-Gaudens

The peloton gets moving in Saint-Gaudens. The first 50 kilometers will only climb slightly today, but then the climbing festival begins over four Pyrenees passes. Right at the beginning, however, there are now 3.5 kilometers of neutralized rolling through the city on the edge of the Pyrenees.

1:10 p.m. – Shock for Pogacar: Majka out!

Tim Wellens from the Lotto Soudal team is also no longer part of the game. He tested positive for Corona.

INFO – Welcome

Hello and welcome to the live ticker of the Tour de France. We are in the Pyrenees, between Saint-Gaudens and Peyragudes the 17th stage is on the program, which is also the second of a total of three Pyrenees sections. The peloton has to prove its climbing qualities today. Today’s 129 kilometers lead over four mountain classifications, three of which belong to the 1st category.

The profile gives reason to hope that Tadej Pogacar will try to attack a few times, while Simon Geschke wants to defend his mountain jersey. It starts at 1:15 p.m. Eurosport.de accompanies the race events here in the live ticker. Have fun!