Tour De France 2015: Stage 17 Results, Updated Standings and Highlights

Simon Geschke produced a sensational breakaway to triumph in Stage 17 of the 2015 Tour de France, as Chris Froome passed another major test to stay comfortable atop of the general classification.

Giant-Alpecin’s Geschke built up a substantial buffer ahead of the mammoth climb to Col d’Allos and clung on from Cannondale-Garmin's Andrew Talansky and Rigoberto Uran of Etixx-Quick Step, who were second and third on the day, respectively.

Laurent Cipriani/Associated Press

After Team Sky controlled the peloton for much of the first day in the Alps, Froome rode alongside fellow contenders Nairo Quintana, Vincenzo Nibali and Alejandro Valverde for much of the final stages. The tour leader crossed the line just behind nearest challenger Quintana but preserves a substantial lead with just four stages to go.

Here’s a look at the results from a punishing day in the mountains and how the race for the yellow jersey looks after Stage 17, per the event's official Twitter account:

Geschke Goes it Alone in the Alps

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Although the 161-kilometre run from Digne-les-Bains to Pra Loup wasn’t quite as punishing as some of the undulating pursuits in the Pyrenees, with 16 days of hard racing in their legs, these kinds of stages can really take their toll on the peloton.

So the prospect of four climbs—two third category inclines followed by a pair of category twos—before the run up to the 2,250-metre summit of Col d’Allos must have been a daunting one for the majority of riders. Not for Geschke, it would seem.

As we can see here courtesy of LeTourData, the German rider had built up a substantial lead as the summit crept closer:

But even from a position of such comfort, scaling this imposing ascent was never going to be easy for a lone rider. Needless to say, as the Giant-Alpecin man rose up in the saddle and surged up the steep incline, the pain was etched on his face.

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

The buffer established by Geschke to the peloton meant that the likes of Froome and Quintana would be battling it out for time in the general classification on Wednesday. Indeed, the stage win looked out of reach for the yellow jersey as the German conquered the summit of the Col d’Allos and embarked on a subsequent technical descent.

Team Sky were well in control of proceedings in the peloton once again, as their official Twitter account noted:

With over three minutes to make up for the men still hoping to don the f, there were always going to be attacks on the Col d’Allos' steep sides. The first to go was reigning champion Nibali, and after he was kept on a short leash, Quintana also looked to put some distance between himself and the peloton.

Peter Dejong/Associated Press

But with Richie Porte doing a sterling supporting job, Team Sky and Froome were able to extinguish any major moves as the peloton reached the top of Col d’Allos. As we can see here courtesy of the competition’s official Twitter feed, Nibali was still looking to up the pace on what was a treacherous decline:

It was a steep-sided slalom downhill that Geschke negotiated well at the front, but after a gruelling grind to the top of Col d’Allos, there were concerns about whether he had the legs to get to the finishing line first. Especially with another minor incline into the flamme rouge to come and some high-class riders chasing him.

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

Thibaut Pinot was the man who looked most likely to catch the Giant-Alpecin rider, but the difficulty of the technical descent was revealed in earnest when he hit the deck hard taking a left-hander, as we can see courtesy of ITV Cycling:

The error ended his chances of a stage victory, and although both Talansky and Uran swallowed up some of the advantage Geschke had established, the German was able to enjoy the final moments of his first stage win in the Tour de France.

His team paid tribute to the German’s extraordinarily resolute ride:

Minutes back, the general classification continued to be a game of cat and mouse. The final embers were a disaster for Alberto Contador’s chances, though, as the Spaniard suffered a problem on the descent and lost vital time.

Christophe Ena/Associated Press/Associated Press

It allowed Quintana and Froome to race clear ahead of Valverde and Nibali. Eventually, the Colombian edged the maillot jaune-holder to the finish line, but Froome will be delighted to have another potentially difficult stage ticked off as he bids to win this coveted competition for the second time.

As we can see, it was another good day for Sky, who have two of the tour’s top four riders in their squad:

Geschke will make many stand up and take note with this performance, as it takes remarkable fortitude to win a demanding mountainous stage in such style. Although it’ll have taken plenty out of the German, he’ll be hopeful of making further impressions in the Alps as the tough climbs and skilful descents keep coming.

Laurent Cipriani/Associated Press

Froome remains well in control at the top of the general classification and was superbly assisted by his team-mates once again. Quintana needs something special in the next two facets of the tour if he’s to stand any chance of making inroads into the Brit’s advantage; Friday’s long alpine finish to La Toussuire looks his only remaining chance.