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Pla'd'adet, France • On the last of four Pyrenees ascents, Rafal Majka winked at a French TV camera and tugged playfully at a motorcycle's antenna.
Even this late in the Tour de France, the Polish rider made winning look easy as he took Stage 17 on Wednesday.
For Vincenzo Nibali, the second ride in the mountains on France's border with Spain was more serious. "The Shark" nibbled yet more seconds away from several of his closest challengers, and the yellow jersey that he has worn for all but two days of the race seemed to fit just a little more tightly ahead of the finish Sunday in Paris.
Nibali was even businesslike with his own prime minister, imploring him not to get too ahead of himself in celebration.
"It's true that I received a text message from Matteo Renzi, who invited me to Chigi Palace to celebrate my victory," the cautious Sicilian said about the premier's official residence. "I replied that only after winning — if I do so — I'll be able to say that I'll be present."
The 124.5-kilometer (77-mile) trek Wednesday was the shortest stage in this year's Tour. It covered three hard Category 1 ascents from Saint-Gaudens and a final push up to Pla d'Adet ski station above the town of Saint-Lary-Soulan.
Majka, who also won Stage 14 in the Alps, again showed he's the best climber in this Tour and tightened his grip on the polka dot jersey awarded to the race's King of the Mountains.
Giovanni Visconti got the action going on the last climb with a solo breakaway with about nine kilometers (5 1/2 miles) left, but could not hold off Majka. Visconti, who also is Sicilian, was second, 29 seconds back, and Nibali was third, 46 seconds behind.
With a last Pyrenean day ahead Thursday, Majka could ensure that he takes the red-dot jersey home. His closest rival for it when the stage started was Spain's Joaquim Rodriguez, who swatted the air in frustration at Majka when the Pole broke away on the last climb.
Majka said he felt "comfort" in the last five kilometers in part because he'd been saving up energy a day earlier by riding easier. He finished in a bunch 24 1/2 minutes behind Australian teammate Michael Rogers, who won Stage 16.
By Wednesday, "I felt really, really good in the last climb," Majka said, after tapping his chest, thrusting his arms skyward and shouting in joy at the victory. "For me, when there are a lot of climbs, it's the best."
There was a time when seemingly effortless victories smacked of something more sinister at the Tour: the use of performance-enhancers. —
Tour de France Stage 18 preview
O Thursday, 6 a.m. TV • NBCSN
About the stage • It sends riders 90 miles from Pau to the summit finish at Hautacam, rated "beyond category" in the Tour jargon to describe the most difficult climbs. Along the way, riders will have to race up and over the legendary Tourmalet climb, a 2,115-meter monster that itself is rated "beyond category."
LEADERS • 1. Vincenzo Nibali, Italy, 76 hours, 41 minutes, 28 seconds. 2. Alejandro Valverde, Spain, 5 minutes, 26 seconds behind. 3. Thibaut Pinot, France, 6:00. Also • 6. Tejay van Garderen, United States, 10:19.