Roglic extends lead

MERIBEL (France), Sept 16

Colombian Miguel Angel Lopez won the 17th stage of the Tour de France as Primoz Roglic tightened his grip on the overall lead today.

Roglic took second place to extend his advantage over fellow Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, who came home third, to 57 seconds.

Bernal withdraws

Defending champion Egan Bernal has withdrawn from the Tour de France after dropping out of contention at the weekend. Bernal’s hopes of winning the race fell away when he cracked in the 15th stage and he was dropped from the main bunch in the ascent to Saint-Nizier suffering from back pains in Stage 16. Bernal had said compensating for his back led to some discomfort in his knee. The 17th stage was arguably the toughest of this year’s Tour, ending 2,304 metres above sea level at top of the Col de la Loze, a punishing 21.5km ascent at an average gradient of 7.8%. — Reuters