Tour De France 2015: Live Stream Schedule, TV Info and Route for Stage 17

The latter stages of the Tour De France are fast approaching as the peloton prepares for the challenging High Alps section of Stage 17 on Wednesday.

Ruben Plaza Molina won Monday's ride from Bourg-de-Peage to Gap, but it's Team Sky's Chris Froome who continues to make the yellow jersey his own. He will be wary of competition who are hoping to attack his lead on the first of four difficult climbing days, but the Briton is well prepared to assert his dominance at the head of the pack.

A solid, calculated ride is needed by the leader on Tuesday, especially with further leg-burning days to come. Let's take a look at how you can watch the action, and indeed, the route this year's competitors are preparing for.

Stage 17: Digne-les-Bains to Pra-Loup, 161km

Date: Wednesday, July 22

Profile: Rising, testing climbs.

TV Info: NBC Sports (U.S.), ITV4 (UK)

Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), ITV Player (UK)

Be sure to check out the Guardian's interactive guide for a full look at all the stages.

Froome Can Afford to Play the Waiting Game

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

Tuesday's rest day is vital to recovery at this stage of the Tour. The riders won't be afforded another break until the competition is over, so this is a pivotal opportunity to prepare for the most testing section of the race.

Energy needs to be spent wisely, especially as Stage 17 concludes with an arduous climb up Col d'Allos and a technical decent to the final Category 2 climb, Pra Loup, as highlighted by Twitter user Melissa Brand:

The long, uncomfortable descent heading into the final climb will be giving Froome plenty to think about at this point. He doesn't need to ride exceptionally hard throughout the stage and can afford to be reactive to those trying to make an impression around him, but cautiousness could pull him back toward the chasing pack.

Not being the person who needs to impress is an advantage and acknowledgement of Froome's hard work so far, though. Rival teams know an excellent run on this stage could be pivotal in making a long-term play for the prize, despite Froome's prolific lead at the top, highlighted by Sky Sports:

Geraint Thomas, Froome's team-mate, will be raring to go after his crash on Stage 16. Sky Sports noted the rider's bravery in not letting the collision with a telegraph poll severely impact his position:

Thomas expects Sky to come under fire, as noted in his BBC Sport column:

"

I am sure we will get attacked from everywhere. (Vincenzo) Nibali has lost a lot of time and is almost eight minutes back but is still dangerous, while (Nairo) Quintana, at just over three minutes down, is probably the most threatening. And Alberto Contador might be more than four minutes adrift but he knows how to fight and win a Tour.

"

Laurent Cipriani/Associated Press

The Tour's intensity is quickly ramping up, so it's vital for Froome, Thomas and Sky to properly plan their strategy over the coming stages. A range of steep climbs remain even while Pra Loup is long in the distance, but it's key to start strongly in the mountains in order to avoid a late panic in the race.