The pack passes poppies in a field during the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race. The race, now in its 99th year, is 122 miles. It begins in Rouen and finishes in Saint-Quentin, France.
BAGNERES-DE-LUCHON, France (AP) — Alejandro Valverde of Spain has won the 17th stage of the Tour de France, while Bradley Wiggins mastered a last big test in the mountains to retain the yellow jersey.
[PHOTOS: The 99th Tour de France.]
The 89-mile ride from Bagneres-de-Luchon to the ski station of Peyragudes featured three difficult climbs and an uphill finish.
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