Photography by Cor Vos, Jered & Ashley Gruber, Kristof Ramon
Two-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome held off all comers on the stage 18 uphill time trial in Megève Thursday, taking the stage win and extending his lead in the general classification.
Froome (Team Sky) finished the 17km (10.36mi) solo effort with a time of 30:43, 21 seconds ahead of Dutch national time trial champion, Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin). Fabio Aru (Astana) and Richie Porte (BMC Racing) finished with the same time, 31:16, but the Astana rider was awarded third place on the stage by thousandths of a second.
“I really didn’t expect to beat Tom today,” Froome said. “Pacing was key. I really started off quite steady and controlled that first part, and then just gave it everything I had over the top and the last part. I’m really, really happy with that.”
Froome kept his maillot jaune and extended his lead, but behind him the fight for the remaining two podium spots is much tighter. Positions second through sixth began the day separated by exactly two minutes, and though there was no change in the standings, at day’s end they were separated by just 1:08.
Read the full stage 18 race report, highlight video, and results here.
-
- American Lawson Craddock (Cannondale-Drapac) has had a tough Tour, but he is three days away from completing his first Grande Boucle. Photo: Gruber Images
-
- When you’re wearing a skinsuit, number pinning is a delicate process. Photo: Gruber Images
-
- Cannondale-Drapac has had a difficult Tour, but the mood among the team is still upbeat. Photo: Gruber Images
-
- Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) entered the stage a heavy favorite, having won the stage 13 solo effort. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- The UCI checked Lawson Craddock’s Cannondale bike to make it was above the weight limit before he set off. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- Tom Dumoulin, in the start house. Photo: Cor Vos.
-
- The riders didn’t have much time to enjoy the views, as the uphill time trial pushed those just trying to take the day a little easier. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- Tony Gallopin (Lotto-Soudal) and wife Marion Rousse share a romantic moment. Rousse is a former French national road champion and is a reporter for Eurosport, as well as a podium girl for the Most Aggressive prize. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- Dumoulin set new best times at every check point out on course during his time trial effort. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- Dumoulin was still trying to recover from his hard effort as the media leaned in to get his initial comments. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- The maillot jaune of Chris Froome (Team Sky) had plenty of support out on the road. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- Fabio Aru (Astana) put in a stellar ride to capture third place on the stage. Photo: Kristof Ramon
-
- Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange) is a candidate for this year’s Tour revelation. The Briton sits third overall and leads the Best Young Rider classification. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) didn’t quite have the legs to compete with the best times of the day. Photo: Kristof Ramon.
-
- Nairo Quintana (Movistar) suffered on stage 18 and lost more time to his rivals. He will have to dig deep the next two days to finish on the podium. Photo: Kristof Ramon
-
- Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) has had a quiet Tour, but the Giro d’Italia champion is building towards the Olympic Games. Photo: Kristof Ramon
-
- Mollema rode well enough to keep his second place overall. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- Froome claimed his second stage win of the 2016 Tour and extended his GC lead to nearly four minutes. Photo: Cor Vos