An incredible, tenacious ride by Felix Gall on Stage 17 of the Tour de France gave Ag2R Citroen their first victory at this years race. As Jonas Vingegaard soared away on the slopes of the Col de la Loze and Tadej Pogacar had nothing left to give, Felix grimaced and battled to hold off Simon Yates and keep his dream alive. You don’t win alone on days like these and Ben O’Connor was the perfect wingman, they are my moment of joy today.
Felix had already dazzled by taking the King of the Mountain jersey back on stage 5, and he’s definitely had his climbing legs on recently. But today, on the Queen Stage, he put it all together. Those final agonising moments on a hellish climb to the airport at Courcheval
⏪The last KM of the Queen Stage, which had us on the edge of our seat all day long, and at the end, a brand new TDF Stage winner
⏪Le dernier KM de l'étape reine, qui nous a tenu en haleine toute la journée, et à la fin, un tout nouveau vainqueur d'étape du TDF.#TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/MfGyQDOIwm
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 19, 2023
I love watching post race interviews when all the emotions pour out. Here’s Felix barely holding back the tears. Oh, and watch out for a glorious joyous Ben moment.
I had the role of the leader now. I was stressing myself about that also, it’s not easy. I was just afraid that I would be caught
🎙️ "I didn't think that the break would have a big chance to go for the victory, but I mean the stage was so hard and I felt good so I thought, why not be in there…" – 🇦🇹 Felix Gall
🎙️"Je ne pensais pas que l'échappée irait au bout, mais l'étape était tellement dure et je me… pic.twitter.com/MhNGaOn6Kg
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 19, 2023
My heart
Ben O’Connor: “You’re a champion, you’re a champion.” 💛 pic.twitter.com/1FJkRwOgX0
— le tour de robyn (@robynjournalist) July 19, 2023
Ben O’Connor came into this race as the leader of the team. Unfortunately things haven’t gone as he would have wished. To see him leaving it all on the road for his teammate today was something special. It was such a classy selfless act. #Chapeau
Ben’s final pull to the last climb set up the victory for Felix. I did have to laugh at the sight of a fan running to offer him a slice of pizza as he ground to halt.
A fan offering Ben O'Connor a freshly baked pizza after giving his all for Felix Gall 😅🍕#TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/N6Q235vRtI
— Eurosport (@eurosport) July 19, 2023
After completing his pull, Ben O'Connor is offered and refuses a pizza.
— How The Race Was Won® (@Cyclocosm) July 19, 2023
After the celebrations, my first thought on these huge mountains stages is for the riders at the back. Those under threat of being eliminated as Over the Time limit
Last man over the line today was Cofidis’ Simon Geschke
Last rider Simon Geschke makes to the finish with a minute to spare pic.twitter.com/cM1M8WxuQC
— the Inner Ring (@inrng) July 19, 2023
Anyone else think Lastminute.com sponsoring the voiture balai is fitting?
When you remember there are no mountains on tomorrow’s stage 😏 #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/oTMurB3Xho
— Lidl-Trek (@LidlTrek) July 19, 2023
Stage results
🏆 Rankings and jerseys after stage 17
🏆 Classements et maillots distinctifs après l'étape 17#TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/6uMRBjXCWM
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 19, 2023