Alaphilippe races to win in stage 16

BAGNÈRES-DE-LUCHON, FRANCE: Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe, of the Quick Step team, soloed to victory on the Tour de France 16th stage Tuesday after capitalising on a late crash by Britain’s Adam Yates (Mitchelton).

Alaphilippe finished nearly 20 seconds ahead of a small group of chasers on the first of four days in the Pyrenees. Yellow jersey holder Geraint Thomas (Sky) crossed the finish line nearly nine minutes in arrears after yet another stage in which his race lead did not come under threat.

Ahead of stage 17 on Wednesday, described as the most decisive stage in the final week, Thomas maintained his 1min 39sec lead on four-time champion and teammate Chris Froome. Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) is still third at 1:50.

RACE RE-STARTS AFTER FARMERS’ PROTEST

BAGNÈRES-DE-LUCHON,FRANCE: The Tour de France 16th stage re-started on Tuesday after a brief halt when national gendarmes used tear gas near the peloton to break up a protest by farmers. Bales of hay blocked the road 26 kilometres (16 miles) into the day’s ride from Carcassonne as farmers demonstrated

against a cut in state aid. Among the riders affected by the tear gas was Geraint Thomas, who was pictured rubbing his nose following the incident.

Video footage of the incident appeared to show liquid being blown back into the advancing peloton after being sprayed by an officer.