Tour de France 2008 - Stage 17

What another great stage! I really do love watching the mountain stages. Great riding and great scenery shots from the helicopters! Today was great to watch. The leaders hung tough and together into Alpe d'Huez and once it hit the bottom, Carlos took off, all the way to the line! He grows on me and today - way to go Carlos! I love seeing him go after it. I think he needs a little more time than what he has going into Saturday's TT which could add some good excitement on the next two stages. And maybe open up some opportunity for C to gain back a little time.

C road great today! He didn't bumble a bit and I was cheering the whole time! He hung tough, stayed positive, and even made some attacks himself. So great to see! Go C!!!!! The Schleck duo is impressing me to no end in the mountains. Mostly - little Andy! I so wish he had not lost the minute earlier in the race as I believe he'd be the favorite to be in Yellow for Paris. Youngin' has just been hammering it on the climbs and I am looking forward to years of following him. He even made it look easy during some parts. Amazing. The sad thing is though even if he hadn't lost time, he still probably would've buried himself for big bro Frank and Carlos. He's good like that and we've seen him do it before. Free Andy!!!

The next two stages could get animated with teams trying last minute tactics to gain some more time or they could be status quo. I think the first as Carlos knows he could use some extra time come Saturday. I'm hoping the games play into C's favor and he too can gain back some time. The man can TT with the very best and I would love to see him score a podium spot come Sunday. Again - GO C!!! You aren't out of this yet!

CN: John Vande Velde proud of his son
CN: George Hincapie: Still going strong

Live Chatter: CN - VN - DP - PdC1 - PdC2 - PdC3 - Post Thread
PdC_Crashdan: The Godzilla Stage: Exploring Stage 17

Stage 17 - Wednesday, July 23: Embrun - L'Alpe d'Huez, 210.5km
Results
1 Carlos Sastre (Spa) CSC-Saxo Bank 6.07.58 (34.32 km/h)
3 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team CSC - Saxo Bank 2.03
5 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC - Saxo Bank 2.13
9 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 2.15
22 Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr) Team Columbia 6.08
42 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 18.19
47 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC - Saxo Bank 22.13
65 George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia 24.18
72 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC - Saxo Bank 28.02
79 Trent Lowe (Aus) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 28.05
81 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team CSC - Saxo Bank 38.00
102 Martijn Maaskant (Ned) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
117 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole
118 David Millar (GBr) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
131 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Bouygues Telecom
135 Julian Dean (NZl) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
136 William Frischkorn (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
137 Danny Pate (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
139 Adam Hansen (Aus) Team Columbia
General classification after stage 17
1 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC - Saxo Bank 74.39.03
2 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC - Saxo Bank 1.24
6 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 4.41
12 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team CSC - Saxo Bank 10.15
19 Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr) Team Columbia 24.29
37 George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia 1.08.28
39 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC - Saxo Bank 1.11.31
54 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 1.33.10
69 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC - Saxo Bank 1.56.20
71 David Millar (GBr) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 2.00.16
79 Trent Lowe (Aus) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 2.07.07
93 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Bouygues Telecom 2.27.57
99 Danny Pate (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 2.34.12
102 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 2.39.02
112 Julian Dean (NZl) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 3.01.11
113 Adam Hansen (Aus) Team Columbia 3.01.41
117 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team CSC - Saxo Bank 3.06.08
139 Martijn Maaskant (Ned) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 3.22.41
140 William Frischkorn (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 3.24.44

Garmin: Tour stage 17: Christian 9th on The Alpe; holding steady at 6th overall
CSC-SaxoBank: Carlos Sastre Happy in Yellow
PEZ_Jered: TDF'08 St. 17: Carlos Conquers Alpe D'Huez!
CN: Vande Velde rides strong after tough day
BruceHildenbrand: l'Alpe d'Huez
SpinninWheel: Tour de France 2008 Stage 17: Random
TeamGarmin: Vande Velde perseveres on L'Alpe-d'Huez
ESPN_B.Jullich: Sastre makes big statement, but all Tour roads lead to final time trial.

VN: Fresh Korn - The Alpe
WillFrischkorn: Top of the Alpe

GrahamWatsonPhotos: Stage 17
TeamCSCSaxoBank: Tour de France
TeamGarminPhotos: Tour de France

VeloNews TV:
Tour de France 2008: Stage 17 race highlight.
Stage 17: Beyond the finish line wtih Garmin-Chipotle's Christian Vande Velde.

Versus:
Christian Vandevelde Interview (post 17)
Frank and Andy Schleck
Matt White Interview
Christian Vandevelde Interview (pre 17)
Push Beyond (Trent Lowe)
Ryder Hesjedal Interview (pre 17)

CV TV (formerly TBR):