Image source, AP

Right folks, it's time for me to depart. Thanks for your company today, another stage ticked off the list as we pedal to Paris.

Tomorrow's stage has all the makings of a classic, with four big climbs spread over just 125km and yellow jersey holder Vincenzo Nibali will be looking to cement his lead.

So I'll see you tomorrow. Until then, it's good afternoon from me.

Magnus Backstedt
Former Tour de France stage winner on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"Michael has got such a vast amount of experience and a lot of power and you can see that he really enjoys riding his bike, he's willing to go that bit deeper."

Here's the stage 17 report, won by Michael Rogers, which features analysis from former Tour de France stage winner Magnus Backstedt.

After the longest stage on the Tour today, we visit the shortest tomorrow. It's 125km race from Saint-Gaudens to Saint-Lary Pla d'Adet and could have a big impact on the general classification as there are four big climbs. Team Sky rider Geraint Thomas believes tomorrow will be one of the "hardest days of this year's race."

Michael Rodgers, a three-times world champion in the individual time trial, receives his trophy and flowers on the podium. The Australian looks like he's welling up as he takes the applause.

Yellow Jersey
Classification

1) Vincenzo Nibali (Ita/Astana) 73hrs 05mins 19secs

2) Alejandro Valverde (Spa/Movistar) +4mins 37secs

3) Thibaut Pinot (Fra/FDJ.fr) +5mins 06secs

4) Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra/AG2R) +6mins 08secs

5) Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R) +6mins 40secs

Rogers added: "I tried so hard to win a stage of the Tour before but this year, I've changed mentally. When it rains it pours doesn't it?

"I know I've changed upstairs, I'm more hungry and opportunities seem clearer to me now. I'm not scared of the outcome now. Previously I was scared to try something new because I was scared of failure."

Image source, EPA

"I knew once I got to the bottom of the last climb, the race had began for me," says stage winner Michael Rogers. "I tried a few times to drop them on the climb but I couldn't so I knew I had to pick them off on the descent. I said to myself - 'I have been in this position to many times and not won. I'm not going to do it again.'"

Image source, AFP

Yellow Jersey
Classification

Vincenzo Nibali, the yellow jersey holder, and Alejandro Valverde, who is second overall, cross the line together about nine minutes down on the leaders. They will still retain the top two spots in the general classification, though.

1) Michael Rogers (Tinkoff-Saxo)

2) Thomas Voeckler (Europcar)

3) Vasil Kiriyenka (Sky)

4) Jose Serpa (Lampre)

5) Cyril Gautier (Europcar)

Magnus Backstedt
Former Tour de France stage winner on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"What a year he is having, he's riding strong and he is confident, this was a stage that was tailor made for him and once he got the gap there was no coming back to him."

Image source, AP

That's 34-year-old Michael Rogers first stage victory on the Tour and follows his two stage wins at the Giro d'Italia earlier this year.

Michael Rogers wins stage 16 of the Tour de France.

Michael Rogers passes the 1km mark. He looks to have done enough to take this victory.

We're inside the last 2km with Michael Rogers holding an eight-second lead. Vasil Kiryienka has gone for it, getting out of the saddle and giving it a push. Can he catch Rogers?

We're nearing the end of the descent now, with just 5km to go. Meanwhile, up front Michael Rogers has made a bid for glory.

Cyril Gautier is his nearest challenger and tries his best to keep up. Serpa, Voeckler and Kiryienka seem content to let him go.

Toniwater:, external "Vincenzo Nibali won't miss a trick this week he's too close, he'll respond to everything and it looks like he's in his element when doing that!"

It's now a five-man group at the front as Cyril Gautier and Vasil Kiryienka catch up. Meanwhile, Alejandro Valverde has been towed back to yellow jersey holder Vincenzo Nibali. They're just over 10 minutes and 23 seconds behind.

Michael Rogers, Jose Serpa and Thomas Voeckler are cruising down the descent at the front. They've got a 12 second-lead over Cyril Gautier and Vasil Kiryienka.

Alejandro Valverde, who is second in the general classification, has been dropped by Thibaut Pinot. Vincenzo Nibali tries to stick with him but can't as they begin the descent. Pinot immediately opens up a lead of 200m as they fly down the mountain.