Today’s stage wasn’t a stage to relax, after yesterday´s queen stage the peloton had to suffer again on stage 17. The race covered more than 200 kilometers once again, together with three tough categorized climbs, the first of which came directly after the stage commenced. The second climb of the day, after 60 kilometers of racing, was a steep climb with an average gradient of 10%.
After some attempts to build a breakaway, a group of 40 riders managed to distance themselves from the peloton and soon had an advantage of more than one minute. On the second climb of the day many groups were formed due to the steep profile of the climb.
On the descent, two riders attacked and went up the road. This saw the gap increase with every kilometer. The chasing group had, with 100 kilometers ridden, a gap of more than 5 minutes to bridge. The reduced peloton, which also contained the Maglia Rosa, was 10 minutes behind the front group.
The first breakaway of the day included two BORA – hansgrohe riders. José Mendes and Jan Barta made it into the group but were joined by many riders. Jan Barta fought to remain in every breakaway which was formed.
With 45 kilometers remaining, the front group including Jan Barta had more than 10 minutes on the Maglia Rosa group. When the riders came to the final 20 kilometers the break group set the pace.
This was Rolland’s first win in five years.
