FROOME’S ON FORM
CHRIS FROOME moved into second place at the Volta a Catalunya after a strong ride in yesterday’s tough mountain stage. The Team Sky rider failed to stay with stage winner Alejandro Valverde on the steep final section, finishing 13 seconds behind, but the result moved him up to second overall, 21 seconds off Valverde. Froome had initially intended to boost team-mate Geraint Thomas’s push to move up the general classification, but struck out alone when Thomas faded near the end of the five-mile climb. “Today, being the first big mountain-top finish, was probably the first real big test so in that sense I’m really happy to be up there,” Froome said. “Having said that, we don’t want to be happy with second place as it’s not the reason we’re here.”