Majka claims 17th-stage victory
Print Edition
POLAND’S Rafal Majka yesterday won the 17th stage of the Tour de France in a late breakaway on the last of four tough climbs in the Pyrenees.
Vincenzo Nibali trailed by about a minute and gained key seconds on his main rivals as he retained the leader’s yellow jersey that he’s worn for all but two stages this year.
It was Majka’s second stage win, the Tinkoff-Saxo rider having already triumphed in the Alps in Stage 14.
Wednesday’s 124.5-kilometer trek was the shortest stage in this year’s Tour, and the second of three days in the mountains straddling the French and Spanish borders. It covered three hard Category 1 ascents from Saint-Gaudens and a final push up to Pla d’Adet ski station above the town of Saint-Lary-Soulan in the Pyrenees.
Italian Giovanni Visconti was second with Nibali taking third as the Italian extended his overall advantage to Spaniard Alejandro Valverde to almost 5 minutes and 30 seconds.
Australian champion Simon Gerrans, however, did not start the stage.
The 34-year-old Orica GreenEDGE rider had been suffering since crashing on the first stage more than two weeks ago.
“Obviously it’s disappointing not to complete the Tour de France and make it to Paris,” said the winner of April’s Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
“But with the injuries I have from stage one I think the best decision is actually to stop now and completely recover.”
Gerrans wore the Tour leader’s yellow jersey for two days last year after Orica won the team time-trial.
He had also won the third stage before that, but he has been unable to truly challenge for a stage win this time around.
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