Tadej Pogacar winner.
But not by knockout.
Arrived closely followed by the Yellow Jersey Jonas Vingegaard in the terrible last percentages (17%) of the Peyragudes altiport, the Slovenian ended up triumphing at the top just in front of the Dane, who finally lost only four seconds confirming his status as favorite of the Round.
Well launched by his teammate Brandon McNulty, elected combative of the day, the outgoing double winner failed to place a decisive attack in this first big piece of the Pyrenees.
To discover
The route of the Tour de France 2022
The general classification of the Tour de France
Winner at the altiport of Peyragudes in 2017, Romain Bardet, a time in the game with the leaders, cracked in the final ascent.
In great difficulty on Tuesday, the Auvergnat nevertheless tried his luck on Wednesday and will have imagined signing a big shot.
A time leader of the stage at the front, Thibaut Pinot cracked him in the last two climbs, after having worked in particular for his leader David Gaudu, who saved the breakage accompanied by Nairo Quintana.
Both less to their advantage than Tuesday in the Wall of Péguère, the two men conceded 1'26'' to Geraint Thomas, who thus consolidates his place on the podium (3rd).
In a last effort, the Breton still took six seconds from the Colombian.
The fact of the day
Romain Bardet's great operation, Pogacar's burst of pride, the unbeatable Vingegaard... These are the main points to remember from this completely crazy stage.
After 129.5 kilometers of high mountain and four climbs in less than 70 kilometers, Tadej Pogacar was perhaps not the strongest but will have succeeded in one last masterstroke to come and raise his arms at the top of Peyragudes.
His team maneuvered perfectly this afternoon, especially with the excellent work of Mcnulty in the final, but that was not enough.
Tadej Pogacar regains only 4 seconds in the bonus game on the yellow jersey Jonas Vingegaard.
Behind, in a completely different world, Geraint Thomas (Ineos) proved that he was indeed the big favorite for the third step of the podium.
He finished fourth in this 17th stage, consolidating his lead over his opponents overall.
Lutsenko (Astana) finished 5th and signed his return to the race for the top 5, as did Frenchman Romain (DSM) Bardet who took 6th place in the stage.