Goodbyepublished at 16:18 British Summer Time 20 July 2022
That's all from me for today.
I'll be back tomorrow for what promises to be another dramatic day in the Pyrenees.
Catch you then!
Summary
Stage 17: Saint-Gaudens - Peyragudes,129.7km
The first of two big Pyrenean stages features four categorised climbs in the final 76km
Jonas Vingegaard in leader's yellow jersey ahead
Defending champion Tadej Pogacar second, 2mins 22secs behind
Britain's Geraint Thomas third, 2mins 43secs adrift
Hugo Houle rides to solo victory on stage 16
Goodbyepublished at 16:18 British Summer Time 20 July 2022
Postpublished at 16:15 British Summer Time 20 July 2022
Adam Yates, meanwhile. says he is just hanging on to try and help Geraint Thomas.
Coughing repeatedly, the Ineos Grenadiers rider says he has been unwell -as have other team-mates - and he just hopes to be well enough to reach Paris.
Postpublished at 16:14 British Summer Time 20 July 2022
Can Tadej Pogacar really still turn this around?
Two minutes and 18 seconds, with one big mountain day and a time trial on Saturday his main hopes of clawing back that time.
If anyone can come up with something, it would be him, but Jonas Vingegaard has been so consistent so far and is edging closer to victory.
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End of twitter post'I am optimistic'published at 16:12 British Summer Time 20 July 2022
Here's what Tadej Pogacar had to say following his stage win.
Before the stage, Rafal Majka became the fourth UAE Team Emirates rider to exit the race, remember.
"The team, we were only four, and to take the stage win is incredible," Pogacar said.
"We can all be proud because without them we cannot try more. We see tomorrow as another chance but for now I am happy.
"I gave absolutely everything and I know that I need to win, there's no other way, so I gave it all for the team and I was so happy."
On his chances of winning the Tour de France: "Yeah. I am optimistic. I think tomorrow is a more hard day and we can try again tomorrow."
Tomorrow...published at 16:06 British Summer Time 20 July 2022
Tomorrow brings the final high-altitude test of the race.
And it brings the legendary Col d'Aubisque into view, before the Col de Spandelles and the iconic finish at Hautacam.
Luc Leblanc famously held off Miguel Indurain on the ascent to the ski resort in 1994, and this could prove to be another fascinating battle.
It is the last big test for Jonas Vingegaard to survive - and Tadej Pogacar's last chance to deny him.
It's not one to be missed.
Image source, BBC SportGeneral classification standingspublished at 16:02 British Summer Time 20 July 2022
Here's what it all means for the race for a podium place.
Britain's Geraint Thomas is on course for a top-three finish heading into the final mountain stage tomorrow. More on that to come.
- Jonas Vingegaard 67 hours 53 minutes 54 seconds
- Tadej Pogacar + 2mins 18secs
- Geraint Thomas + 4mins 56secs
- Nairo Quintana + 7mins 53secs
- David Gaudu + 7mins 57secs
Postpublished at 15:57 British Summer Time 20 July 2022
Here's the confirmed top five from stage 17. I'll let you know exactly what it all means for the general classification next.
1. Tadej Pogacar2. Jonas Vingegaard3. Brandon McNulty4. Geraint Thomas5. Alexey Lutsenko
Postpublished at 15:54 British Summer Time 20 July 2022
It's a third stage win for Tadej Pogacar, but he couldn't shake off Jonas Vingegaard.
There's a lot of work to be done if he is to retain the yellow jersey.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 15:51 British Summer Time 20 July 2022
Geraint Thomas comes in two minutes and six seconds after Tadej Pogacar in fourth place.
The Briton is comfortably in third place overall now.
Postpublished at 15:48 British Summer Time 20 July 2022
What a move!
Tadej Pogacar waits for Vingegaard to go and then launches a counter attack to take the stage - and four seconds back on the general classification.
Postpublished at 15:48 British Summer Time 20 July 2022
Away goes Jonas Vingegaard.
Tadej Pogacar reacts!
Postpublished at 15:47 British Summer Time 20 July 2022
Brandon McNulty pulls away.
We're down to Pogacar and Vingegaard!
Postpublished at 500m to go
This is relentless from Brandon McNulty. It looks like this is all about the stage win for Tadej Pogacar. This could be the final push from the American before the final steep ramp...
Postpublished at 1.5km to go
Geraint Thomas is all alone as he comes through the 2km to go mark.
The front three are closing in on the gruelling final ramp. Tadej Pogacar has a look at Jonas Vingegaard as he drops behind the yellow jersey. Hoping to spring a surprise from behind?
Postpublished at 2km to go
Still we wait for an attack from Tadej Pogacar.
Is he struggling here? It might explain why Brandon McNulty is still leading this ascent. This has been rather quiet so far by the defending champion's standards.
Postpublished at 3km to go
Romain Bardet, the winner on the Peyragudes in 2017, is dropped by Geraint Thomas.
How is Brandon McNulty still going? The gap is still not coming down. Jonas Vingegaard looks very comfortable behind the two UAE Team Emirates riders.
Postpublished at 4km to go
The roads of the Peyragudes are lined with spectators, who cheer the leaders on as the top two GC riders enter the final four kilometres, still led by Brandon McNulty.
McNulty is still going and still distancing everyone! Geraint Thomas and Romain Bardet are one minute 30 seconds behind and they're struggling to have an impact.
Postpublished at 5km to go
Just five kilometres to go.
We await Tadej Pogacar's first major move. Brandon McNulty is digging deep to hopefully set up an attack for his team-mate. Jonas Vingegaard is watching closely. He's got to be ready for anything...
'Dig deep, G!'published at 15:31 British Summer Time 20 July 2022
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End of twitter postPostpublished at 6km to go
A little exchange between Geraint Thomas and Romain Bardet. If there are games between Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard up front, it may allow them to close in.
Still, Brandon McNulty continues to drive the pace at the front. Pogacar and Vingegaard are giving very little away.