12:25 - Prize Category Review: Part 03 – Polka-Dot Jersey
Christophe Moreau (GCE) earned 60 points for the mountains classification when he joined the escape group on Tuesday and led over both the col du Tourmalet and the col d’Aubsique. He is now ranked second with a total tally of 128 points but Anthony Charteau is still wearing the polka-dot jersey with 143pts. Another member of the escape group on the day the race took in four passes – Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet and Aubisque – is ranked third. Cunego has 99 points while Casar is 4th with 93pts.
12:21 - Prize Category Review: Part 02 – Green Jersey
The 17th stage is definitely not one for the sprinters. Thor Hushovd took back the green jersey with his 10th place in stage 16 and now leads Alessandro Petacchi by four points – 191 to 187. Mark Cavendish is third with 162 points. There are two intermediate sprints during this last day of racing in the mountains. Points were be awarded in Bidos (at 30km) and Adast (at 141.5km).
12:21 - Armstrong At Rear Of Peloton
Number 21 is near the back of the bunch as it rides through the neutral zone. Lance Armstrong was sixth in stage 16 after spending the day in an escape group on the eve of the second rest day.
12:20 - Prize Category Review: Part 01 – Yellow Jersey
The winner of the Tour in 2007 and 2009 is in the lead of the general classification by eight seconds. Alberto Contador wears the yellow jersey for the third day in the 2010 Tour de France. The former racer leader, Andy Schleck is confident that he can take back the yellow jersey, saying on Tuedays, “There’s only one chance left and that’s the Tourmalet. I think I can do it. I hope I can do it.” Samuel Sanchez is ranked third, two minutes behind, while Denis Menchov is fourth at 2’13”.
12:40 - Schleck Talking To Contador
As the escape group of seven riders continues to increase its lead, the riders in the yellow and white jerseys - Contador and Schleck - are having a discussion in the peloton that’s led by the Astana team.
12:35 - Koren On The Attack
Kristjian Koren of the Liquigas team is one of numerous who are trying to escape the peloton at the moment. We will report the other names once the numbers are confirmed.
12:33 - Sastre Wants To Attack Marie-Blanque
The winner of the 2008 Tour has said this morning that he plans to attack on the second climb of the day. Contrary to a previous newsflash that stated that there were three climbs in stage 17, there are actually four - including the category-4 cote de Renoir (at 13.5km). Carlos Sastre says he will try and breakaway on the steep, climb that starts at the 46.5km mark.