Dominant Thomas in box seat
Froome’s Tour hopes fading
THE Tour de France picture just got a lot clearer, with Geraint Thomas answering every challenge on a decisive Stage 17 in which teammate Chris Froome went backwards.
Nairo Quintana snatched some redemption from an underwhelming campaign when his bold attack was rewarded with a solo win atop the brutal Col du Portet. It was the Colombian’s first Tour stage win in five years, with dogged Irishman Dan Martin holding on for second.
“I wanted to win for my people in Colombia after months of hard work. All the support I’ve had from everyone, as well as my family and friends, really helped me today. We were a bit down in the last days, so we needed this win,” Quintana said at the finish.
But behind the elated winner, Froome’s bid for a fifth Tour crown and fourth Grand Tour victory was all but shot down when he cracked inside the last 3km after the impressive Primoz Roglic launched.
Sensing the opportunity, Tom Dumoulin made his move to finish 43 seconds ahead of Froome and leapfrog him into second place.
Thomas was unflappable, and after surging clear of Dumoulin at the line, now leads the Tour by 1min59sec. With one more mountain stage and an individual time trial the only decisive stages to come, only a complete disaster will stop Thomas claiming the biggest win of his life.
“I think that I’m in a good position now,” was Thomas’ blunt assessment.
“I’m not going to change my mental approach, and I’m just going to go day- by- day, try and recover as best as possible and do the small things right. I’ll worry about tomorrow, because as soon as you take your eye off the ball or get carried away, that’s when it goes downhill.
“It was a tough start to the climb, and I think that everyone was on the limit but it’s a climb that I know. I was feeling better and better, and Egan Bernal and ( Wout) Poels did a tremendous job, as ever.
“Then with 4km to go Froome was on the radio and said that he wasn’t feeling super. That gave me confidence because if Froome is suffering then everyone is suffering, and I was feeling good.”
Dumoulin was happy with his day’s work in dislodging Froome, but downplayed any chance that Thomas could be reeled in.
“I always keep a little bit of faith and hope, but so far ... Thomas has been the strongest. So far it has not been possible to gain time on him. That’s it,” Dumoulin said.