The Latest: Stage 17 of Tour begins, Alps on horizon

Britain's Chris Froome, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, is all smiles as he looks at the yellow jersey mascot equipped with a camera on the podium of the sixteenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 201 kilometers (124.9 miles) with start in Bourg-de-Peage and finish in Gap, France, Monday, July 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) Britain's Chris Froome, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, is all smiles as he looks at the yellow jersey mascot equipped with a camera on the podium of the sixteenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 201 kilometers (124.9 miles) with start in Bourg-de-Peage and finish in Gap, France, Monday, July 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

By Associated Press July 22, 2015 1 min read

PRA LOUP, France (AP) – The Latest from the Tour de France (all times local):

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1:05 p.m.

The Tour de France pack is off and running on the first of four grueling days in the Alps with Chris Froome looking to protect his yellow jersey from his biggest rivals.

Wednesday’s Stage 17 takes the peloton over four climbs to an uphill finish over the 161-kilometer (100-mile) romp from Digne-les-Bains to the Pra Loup ski station.