Stage 17 of Tour de France 2011 will break the contenders. Thomas Voeckler can live another day with the yellow jersey but Stage 17 might be the day that he can drop it but not without a fight. Voeckler surprises millions of spectators as he meticulously keeps the yellow jersey in a day to day basis. Will he wear it until Sunday?

Voeckler’s courages performances from the past provides us the knowledge that he is a formidable contender. He wore the yellow jersey for more than a week before Lance Armstrong relinquished it from in in 2003. He survived many mountain stages in the past years to accumulate his experience in the tour. He knows now how to win the tour because he prepared for the event for so many years. The contenders must underestimated Voeckler to give him the time in the breakaway nine days ago. Voeckler specializes in the mountain, that’s scary for his opponents. The hurdle that he will defend his lead might end up probably on Saturday in the individual time trial in which Contador and Schleck have the advantage.

Tour de France 2011 Stage 17 is the terrain that defending champion Alberto Contador waits for. His capabilities in the Alps will be tested as he needs 4’00″ to make it to the top of the standings. Contador has been defensive in the Pyrenees because his body couldn’t do what his mind dictates. His injuries in the first week marred by crashes denied him the physical strength to launch the necessary attacks maximizing his power just to stay with the group.

On the other hand, Andy Schleck might be waiting for the right moment to drop the group in this Stage 17 from Sestrieres which is a category 1 climb before the small summit going down to the finish. Schleck knows how disappointed it was to finish second twice in a row that he wants to win this Tour de France 2011.

Cadel Evans was a two time runner up from Australia knows how his legs will be tested in the Alps. The battle starts in Stage 17 179 km. Evans may not have the fast acceleration but he can keep up with the guys. He can win this tour in this stage or he will have to wait on the penultimate stage to grab it.

Ivan Basso is back in form mingling with the contenders in the Pyrenees. He had been a runner up to Lance Armstrong and he is capable of climbing in a steadier fashion. He kept up with the group in the three day Pyrenees but the Alps might be his best stages. Stage 17 will play a major role in Basso’s standings. As of now he is higher than Andy Schleck.

Frank Schleck migh go unnoticed again as the contenders are keeping their eyes on the acceleration of Andy Schleck. Among the leaders in GC, only Frank Schleck had made the moved in Luz Ardiden to be in the second place. Frank Schleck might have enough power to win Stage 17.

Stage 17 is one of the key stages in Tour de France 2011. Whoever makes the attacks and accelerations that can create a gap will win the Tour de France.