Portuguese cyclist Rui Costa took his second stage win, after his victory in the 16th stage of the Tour de France by going through several medium-difficulty climbs.
Race leader Chris Froome and his Tour rival Alberto Contador were far behind him by around 12 minutes in the 16th stage that ended Tuesday, reports Xinhua.
The 168-km cycling began from the Provence village in Vaison-la-Romaine in the heart of Rhone winemaking country to the Alpine town of Gap.