Tour de France 2011: stage 17 - in pictures

Cadel Evans peruses L'Equipe before the start of the stage Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

A close-up view of the frame of Alberto Contador's bike Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

A technician checks the gear cogs on a rear wheel Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

Leopard-Trek riders head for the hills Photograph: Pascal Rossignol/Reuters

The peloton crosses Serre Poncon lake at Savines le Lac ... Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

And then passes along its shore Photograph: Laurent Cipriani/AP

The excitement is all too much for this fan Photograph: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images

Spectators cheer as the pack climbs Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

Up they go, ascending Saint Marguerit ... Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

The pack climbs La Chaussée Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

... and spectators point at riders as they pass Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

Another climb – this time the Col de Montgenèvre Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

The riders pass through a tunnel Photograph: Laurent Cipriani/AP

Spectators cheer as the peloton climbs towards Sestriere Photograph: Laurent Cipriani/AP

The peloton snakes downhill Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPA

Another view of them speeding downhill Photograph: Laurent Cipriani/AP

The strain can be seen on the face of Edvald Boasson Hagen as he makes his way up the Cote de Pramantino Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

The yellow jersey holder, Thomas Voeckler, speeds downhill Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPA

Fans cheer and Boasson Hagen celebrates as he crosses the finish line Photograph: Nathalie Magniez/AFP/Getty Images