Rigoberto Urán (EF Pro Cycling) has quietly and consistently produced podium-caliber performances in this year's Tour de France and is currently in third place overall, 1:34 back from the yellow jersey, with five days of racing remaining.

Urán has also been racing well in the high mountains, having been on the right side of the split on stage 7 when the race was hit by a crosswind. He did not lead the race, but never gave up more than a few seconds in the uphill sprint to the finish.

"Rigo is doing well and has made great progress since his crash at last year's Vuelta. He has come a long way since his crash at last year's Vuelta," Uran's Directeur Sportif Tom Southam told Cycling News. [He, Dani Martinez, and Sergio Iguita came here with him, but one way or another, he's at the top. He's the leader we're used to riding with and we know how he works and how he operates."

Wednesday's 17th stage will again hit the high mountains with two HC mountains as the race stretches into the high country, including a brutal summit finish at the 2,302-meter-high Col de la Rosé.

With three second places in Grand Tours, Uran has the most experience of any of his top 10 rivals, and Southam believes that if the Colombian's legs are strong enough, he can surprise in the crucial time trial on stage 20.

"It's to his advantage to go to higher altitudes, but right now everyone is racing the same race.

"I think the TT also suits Rigobert. The Tour seems to be in the balance for a long time, but then one mountain stage suddenly brings it to an end. It could be as soon as stage 17.

"Rigo has his style of racing and it has come a long way. He reads the moment and doesn't hesitate when he has the chance. There is no need to overcomplicate things with him."

The Tour has already endured in the Pyrenees and Jura mountains, but when compared to the tough Alpine stages that lie ahead, the difference, according to Southam, is that the style of racing will change over the next few days.

Bonus seconds by Primosz Roglic and Tadej Pogachar and punchy finishes where a late split could decide the stage will be replaced by a longer effort heading into the more difficult parts of the three week race.

"I thought Jumbo Visma was more tired early in the race, but he didn't have to do that much in the second week to fight for the green jersey, and in fact they are as strong as ever.

"But I don't know if the UAE has anyone stronger than the sprint competition, but the long climbs at high elevation will keep them away from a punchy finish. There is still a long way to go."