Froome comes off bike but still adds time
July 22, 2016
Froome was left battered and bruised after falling off his bike as rain fell heavily on the 146 kilometer route from Albertville to Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc.
The British defending champion, looking for a third Tour triumph in four years, had to use Sky teammate Geraint Thomas’ bike for the rest of the stage but managed to cross the line having increased his overall lead to 4 minutes 11 seconds. This was despite his crash causing a number of bleeding wounds which were visible through his ripped yellow jersey.
There were several more crashes due to the slippery conditions in the mountains with Bauke Mollema also coming off and dropping from second overall to 10th.
Bardet is now second after his stage victory for AG2R La Mondiale, the first home win on this year’s race.
He lapped up the celebrations at the finish line but what France would give to have a rider of Froome’s class. Even when he falls off the bike, he still manages to add time.
Saturday’s penultimate stage is a 146.5 km ride from Megeve to Morzine-Avoriaz. Barring a major, major shock, Froome will negotiate the mountain route and be the de facto winner ahead of the traditional procession through Paris in Sunday’s finale.