Froome limits losses to keep lead

Chris Froome battled to an impressive third place on stage 19 at the Tour de France to limit his losses and retain the race lead.

Chris Froome battled to an impressive third place on stage 19 at the Tour de France to limit his losses and retain the race lead.

The Team Sky rider spent the entire 138-kilometre Alpine test under intense pressure but was able to find strength on the climb to La Toussuire, crossing the line just 30 seconds back on nearest rival Nairo Quintana.

The Colombian (Movistar) had attacked five kilometres from the summit of the first-category peak and quickly opened out a gap. Froome responded, with his acceleration seeing him push clear of both Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar).

With bonus seconds handed out on the line, Froome now holds a race-leading advantage of 2:38 over Quintana heading into Saturday’s mountain showdown.

Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) elevated himself up to fourth overall with victory on the stage, attacking from long-range as a select GC group ascended the Col de la Croix de Fer.

Team Sky were forced to dig deep on the stage in the face of attacks from kilometre zero. The race split apart on the opening climb of the Col du Chaussy, before a general regrouping in the next valley eventually brought the peloton back together.

Wout Poels ensured that Froome had a Team Sky jersey around him for almost the entire stage, with the Dutchman riding hard to provide invaluable support for his team leader. Fourth overall heading into the stage, Geraint Thomas fell into difficulties on the Croix de Fer, eventually dropping 22 minutes and slipping out of the top 10.

Another day ticked off

After the stage Froome admitted he was happy to come through the test but spared a thought for team-mate Thomas who slipped back.

“It was a massive day out there and the racing was on from the word go,” he said. “All-in-all it was a pretty good stage for us and we were able to tick another day off. We’ve got one day of serious racing left now. Quintana put in a real big attack there and I chose to ride at my own tempo, limit my losses, and stay within myself ahead of another big day tomorrow.

“It was a tough day for the team, and tough for Geraint losing a lot of time. He was feeling empty after doing such a great job to support me up until now. He’s been there every single day and it’s sad he’s lost his fourth place.

“It’s going to be full-on tomorrow up Alpe d’Huez but I’m actually looking forward to it – it’s the most iconic stage of this year’s Tour. It’s going to be epic out there. It would be a dream to take the stage win, but I’ll have to keep up with a little Colombian first.”

The fireworks arrived early as Contador and then Nibali looked to push onwards on the opening climb, headlining a barrage of attacks in a bid to isolate the yellow jersey.

After a big regrouping in the valley as the entire team returned to the front, Froome battled back from a further scare ascending the Col du Glandon when he was forced to briefly dismount his bike.

Explaining the situation Froome added: “Close to the summit of the Col du Glandon my back wheel locked up and a bit of tar or a small stone had locked itself between my brake calipers and my back wheel, so I had to stop, take the wheel backwards and get the stone out. Unfortunately, that was the moment Nibali had decided to make his move.”

Third on the summit finish also allowed Froome to move back up to second in the King of the Mountains standings, a scant three points behind new leader Romain Bardet (Ag2r-La Mondiale).

After the stage a disappointed Thomas talked about a difficult stage after slipping to 15th place on the GC.

“I was just empty today,” said the Welshman. “It was always going to happen and I was hoping it was going to come on Monday but it came today. I just didn't have it, and as they say, sometimes you're the hammer and sometimes you're the nail. I was a cheap nail today, terrible, but there you go. There's only one mountain stage to go.