COLMAR, France -- Australian Neil Stephens won the 17th stage of the Tour de France on Wednesday, his first stage victory in six appearances in the race.

Oscar Camenzind of Switzerland was second and Russian Vyacheslav Ekimov third.

JAN ULLRICH, CHEERED BY THOUSANDS of compatriots who flooded across the nearby German border, retained the overall lead he has held since Andorra nine days ago.

Defending champion Bjarne Riis, who lost a lot of ground in Tuesday's last Alpine stage from Morzine, started the stage after casting doubts over his fitness.

After dropping from fourth to seventh overall, Riis said that he had been suffering with stomach trouble brought on by medicine which he took for wrist pains.