Wiggins facing final test in Pyrenees

[July 19, 2012]  BAGNERES-DE-LUCHON, France (AP) -- Yellow jersey holder Bradley Wiggins faced a final test in the Pyrenees on Thursday as the peloton started the 17th stage of the Tour de France, the last in the mountains this year.

The 89.2-mile trek between Bagneres-de-Luchon and the ski station of Peyragudes features three difficult climbs and an uphill finish at an average gradient of 10 percent.

Wiggins will try to keep intact his lead of 2 minutes, 5 seconds ahead of Saturday's time trial, his favorite discipline.

[Associated Press]

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