July 24, 2003 – Former Paris-Roubaix winner Servais Knaven (Quick.Step-Davitamon) continued his team's good Tour performance with an impressive stage win. An initial breakaway of Vincente Garcia (iBanesto.Com), Bram De Groot (Rabobank), Salvatore Commesso (Saeco), Mederic Clain (Cofidis), Peter Luttenberger (CSC), Christophe Mengin (FDJ.Com), Ivan Parra (Kelme), Leon Van Bon (Lotto-Domo) Paolo Bossoni (Vini Caldirola-So.Di) and Knaven escaped in the first kilometer, setting the stage for an exciting finale between the 10-man break. Ultimately it was Knaven who outsmarted the group, soloing ahead by 17 seconds. The pack was led home by Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) who grabbed a few points back in the green jersey competition behind Baden Cooke (FDJ.com). The favourites finished in the group, and it appears that it will all come down to Saturday's 49K TT…
Stage 17: Dax – Bordeaux, 181 k1. Servais Knaven (Ned) Quick.Step-Davitamon 3.54.23
(46.33km/h)
2. Paolo Bossoni (Ita) Vini Caldirola-So.Di 0.17
3. Christophe Mengin (Fra) FDJeux.com
4. Leon Van Bon (Ned) Lotto Domo
5. Salvatore Commesso (Ita) Saeco
6. Vicente Garcia Acosta (Spa) iBanesto.com
7. Peter Luttenberger (Aut) Team CSC
8. Médéric Clain (Fra) Cofidis, Credit Par Telephone
9. Bram De Groot (Ned) Rabobank
10. Ivan Parra (Col) Kelme-Costa Blanca 1.55
Overall:
1. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal-Berry Floor 74.40.28
2. Jan Ullrich (Ger) Team Bianchi 1.07
3. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Team Telekom 2.45
4 .Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 5.16
5. Iban Mayo (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 5.25
6. Tyler Hamilton (USA) Team CSC 6.35
7. Ivan Basso (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 8.08
8. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Credit Agricole 11.12
9. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) iBanesto.com 16.05
10. Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC 16.12