Tejay Van Garderen had been in the top 80 of the first 17 stages of the Tour de France but after falling well off the pace in stage 17 and finishing 64th he backed it up with a 132nd place finish in stage 18, a mountain time trial, and lost several more minutes on the race leader. Van Garderen remained in 17th but now trails Christopher Froome of Great Britain by 27:54.

Peter Stetina was the top American for the second straight day as he finished 102nd, 4:06 back. He’s still 43rd 0verall and now 1:33:52 back.

Friday the Tour de France continues with a 91-mile mountain stage. The race ends with five straight days of racing culminating on Sunday.

Previous Tour de France Coverage:
Preview
Stage One Update
Stage Two Update
Stage Three Update
Stage Four Update
Stage Five Update
Stage Six Update
Stage Seven Update
Stage Eight Update
Stage Nine Update
Stage Ten Update
Stage 11 Update
Stage 12 Update
Stage 13 Update
Stage 14 Update
Stage 15 Update
Stage 16 Update
Stage 17 Update