Thomas upstages Froome

SAINT-LARY-SOULAN, France: Britain’s Geraint Thomas extended his Tour de France lead as Chris Froome’s hopes of a record-equalling fifth title were hanging by a thread after the defending champion was dropped in the finale of yesterday’s 17th stage.

Colombian Nairo Quintana attacked at the foot of the final climb up to the Col du Portet to snatch a prestigious victory 28 seconds ahead of Ireland’s Dan Martin, but all eyes were on yellow jersey holder Thomas and Froome.

Froome, attempting a first Giro d’Italia/Tour de France double in 20 years, cracked 2km from the finish when Dutchman Tom Dumoulin attacked, and slipped from second to third overall.

Welshman Thomas, who took third place 47 seconds behind, now leads Dumoulin by 1min 59sec and Froome by 2:31 and is widely expected to hand Team Sky their sixth Tour title in seven years.

Froome crossed the line 1:35 off the pace as he does not seem to have the legs to overturn the deficit and might not be allowed to by his team after Thomas emerged as the clear leader in the British squad.

Froome’s last hope appears to rest on whether Thomas cracks in the last mountain stage tomorrow, which seems unlikely after the Welshman proved stronger in all three summit finishes.

Organisers had set up a grid start at the foot of the first climb but while it often brings excitement in Formula One, it was a forgettable moment here, with the peloton being well-organised after a few hundred metres.

Team Sky controlled the pace as several riders attacked in the Montee de Peyragudes, a 14.9km ascent at an average gradient of 6.7 percent.

Among them was France’s Julian Alaphilippe, who strengthened his lead in the mountain classification.

At the foot of the last ascent, a 16km effort at an average gradient of 8.7 percent, Quintana jumped away in impressive style followed by Martin, who quickly found himself unable to sustain the pace of the twice Tour runner-up.

With 14km left, Slovenia’s fourth-placed Primoz Roglic also attacked and was immediately followed by Froome. The duo opened a small gap before being reined in by the yellow jersey group thanks to the work of Dumoulin protecting his podium place.

Froome started to suffer and he was briefly distanced 2.5km from the top on another Roglic attack, and Dumoulin’s acceleration then buried Froome.

Thomas finally made his point, accelerating with about 400 metres left to drop Dumoulin and Roglic.