On a day when a spate of GC hopefuls tried to get away and gain time on the mountain climbs, the duel between Tadej Pogacar (UAE) and Jonas Vingegaard (JV) swallowed them all and spit them up in the rearview mirror. After heroic pacesetting by American Brandon McNulty (UAE), Pogacar nosed Vingegaard in the final sprint, picking up the 10 second bonus with the win on Stage 17. McNulty earned the Most Combative prize for his efforts.

Among those who tried to get away and could not: Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), Alexey Lutsenko (Astana), Romain Bardet (DSM), and Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-EasyPost). Geraint Thomas (IGD) was happy to stick to the wheels of GC hopefuls down on time and further cement his 3rd place podium finish, though nothing is certain with another monstrous mountain stage where anything can happen – especially with Nairo Quintana nippig at his heels in 4th place overall.

Elsewhere in the race notable DNSs were Rafal Majka (UAE) and Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal). UAE will miss yet another rider to protect Pogacar. Wout Van Aert (JV) maintains a stranglehold on the green jersey.

Simon Geschke (Cofidis) successfully defended the polka dot jersey for another stage as King of the Mountains. And Romain Bardet’s (DSM) good day moves him back up the rankings to 6th after slipping all the way to 9th on a tough Stage 16.