So exciting is the 17th stage

At the highest point of the tour today could be the decision for the Tour victory. On the three mountain tracks, professional cyclists have to go out on their own and even the start has everything to please.

For the penultimate heavy piece of the Pyrenees of this Tour de France, the organizers considered two very special variants. The 17th stage of Bagnères-de-Luchon on the Col du Portet is extremely short and begins with a curious procedure at the start. This is meant to increase the show of professional cyclists in the battle for the yellow jersey of the 105th Tour de France

THE ROUTE : At only 65 kilometers, the diurnal section of a mountain stage is extremely short . Three heavy mountains to conquer: Immediately after the departure of the peloton on the rise of Peyragues, then follows the pbad of Val Louron-Azet. The two mountains were ranked in the first category. The final climb then goes up to Col du Portet until Saint-Lary-Soulan, it is an increase of the "Hors catégorie", so the highest level of difficulty. At the same time, the roof of the tower is reached with 2215 vertical meters

THE DEPARTURE: Normally, a stage starts with a few kilometers of neutralized departure, before to leave Race Director driving a car with a banner released from the race and attacks become possible. This time, the drivers are in a formation similar to that of Formula 1 and the motorcycle race in a formation. The wearer of the yellow jersey is at the top, then the places two to five are aligned in the shape of an arrow. Rows six to ten form a second arrow behind. Then follow two rows of five. The rear runners of the clbadification start in the groups of the twenties.

THE PLAN: The patrons of the tour hope to provoke attacks of the best riders from the first meter. For example, because of the strong team Sky Geralt Thomas and reigning champion Chris Froome, the first attacks still decked out, a team merger on the 17th stage could be avoided if the top duo's pursuers attack from the departure. Teammates Thomas and Froome, who are eliminated in the overall standings, are also placed farther in the starting group and are likely to have trouble reaching the top in a hectic start

THE GRUPPETTO: While starting with the strongest Attacking others is only fighting time. Sprinter and sick drivers must try to reach the winner in a certain period of time on arrival. In the Alps, this was condemned to sprinters Marcel Kittel and André Greipel. But this time, the organization of the tour meets the Gruppetto: that limits the gap to 25% of the winning time can continue.