American Wins Tour's 17th Stage

Yesterday, I thought American Floyd Landis was all but out of this year's Tour de France after his disastrous 16th stage. He had wound up over 8 minutes out of the lead. But one day can make all the difference in the Tour de France. Today, Landis [USA-Phonak] attacked on the first of the five climbs, and never looked back. He finished the stage in first place, and is now only 30 seconds behind the overall leader, bringing himself back into contention for the Yellow Jersey. Carlos Sastre [Spain-CSC] finished 5:42 behind Landis, and took second place in stage 17. Third place for the stage was won by Christophe Moreau [France-AG2R].

Tomorrow, stage 18 is run from Morzine to Macon. This stage is not as difficult as the last three stages. It is 197 kilometers [123 miles] long and has three rated climbs - a catagory 2, a catagory 3, and a catagory 4. Only three stages to go in this year's Tour!

Overall standings:

1. Pereiro [Spain-Balears]..........Yellow Jersey
2. Sastre [Spain-CSC]..........0:12
3. Landis [USA-Phonak]..........0:30
4. Kloden [Germany-Tmobile]..........2:29
5. Evans [Australia-Lotto]..........3:08
6. Menchov [Russia-Rabobank]..........4:14
7. Dessel [France-AG2R]..........4:24
8. Moreau [France-AG2R]..........5:45
9. Zubeldia [Spain-Euskadi]..........8:16
10. Rogers [Australia-Tmobile]..........12:13

Team standings:

1. T-mobile
2. CSC..........8:41
3. Rabobank..........12:31
4. AG2R..........19:06
5. Lampre..........40:09

Polka-Dot Jersey [climbers]:

1. Rasmussen [Denmark-Rabobank]..........163 points
2. Landis [USA-Phonak]..........131 points
3. De La Fuente [Spain-Saunier]..........113 points
4. Sastre [Spain-CSC]..........99 points
5. Schleck [Luxemburg-CSC]..........94 points

Green Jersey [sprinters]:

1. McEwen [Australia-Lotto]..........252 points
2. Freire [Spain-Rabobank]..........207 points
3. Zabel [Germany-Milram]..........172 points
4. Hushovd [Norway-Agricole]..........159 points
5. Eisel [Austria-Francaise Des Jeux]..........152 points

White Jersey [youth]:

1. Cunego [Italy-Lampre]
2. Fothen [Germany-Gerolsteiner]..........0:05
3. Sprick [France-Telecom]..........1:23:08