Chasing pack able to close the gap on overall leader Voeckler

Having done his homework on Team Sky’s reconnaissance in mid-June, the 24-year-old from Lillehammer mastered the precarious final run-in to Pinerolo as the Tour travelled into Italy to win the 179-kilometre 17th stage from Gap.

Voeckler (Europcar), though, saw his lead in the yellow jersey cut to one minute 18 seconds ahead of today’s return to France, losing crucial seconds after a wayward descent which saw him at one point lose control and go off into a roadside driveway.

As Voeckler was wobbling behind him, Boasson Hagen made amends for his second place to compatriot Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) on Tuesday with a second Tour stage win.

But unlike his victory on stage six to Lisieux, when Geraint Thomas played a key role, Boasson Hagen claimed a deserved solo success after watching the final stages on video earlier in the morning.

The Norwegian was unfazed by a final 8km from the summit of the Cote de Pramartino labelled “fatally dangerous” by two-time Tour runner-up Andy Schleck before the stage.

By the finish he had established a 40-second lead over runner-up Bauke Mollema (Rabobank), with Sandy Casar (FDJ) taking third place 10 seconds further adrift, ahead of fellow Frenchmen Julien El Fares (Cofidis) and Chavanel.

Cadel Evans (BMC Racing), Frank Schleck, Andy Schleck (both Leopard Trek), Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-SunGard) all finished 4:26 behind Boasson Hagen and 27 seconds ahead of Voeckler. Spanish duo Sanchez and Contador’s attempts to attack were stifled by the other overall contenders and Evans now lies second, 1:18 behind Voeckler.

Frank Schleck is third, 1:22 adrift, with Andy Schleck 2:36 behind in fourth, Sanchez 2:59 adrift in fifth and defending champion Contador 3:15 behind in sixth.

Team Sky’s Rigoberto Uran remained 10th in the overall standings and in possession of the best young rider’s white jersey.

Team-mate Ben Swift, from Rotherham, came home in 154th place, leaving him 132nd overall.

Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) extended his lead in the points classification by one and is 35 points clear of Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) with four days of racing remaining.