Historic win for Thomas

Alpe d’Huez – Geraint Thomas became the first yellow jersey wearer since disgraced Lance Armstrong in 2004 to triumph on the legendary Alpe d’Huez in the Tour de France 12th stage yesterday.

But Thomas and teammate Chris Froome were booed at the finish as Team Sky’s domination continued. Earlier, Froome was struck by a fan on the roadside. It was not clear if it was well-meaning slap, but there were also reports he was spat at. Team Sky’s domination and Froome’s “adverse analytical finding” for double the permitted amount of asthma drug at the 2017 Tour of Spain aren’t sitting well with some fans.

In a thrilling finale to the 175.5km race from Bourg Saint Maurice, Thomas beat Dutchman Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) by two seconds, with Romain Bardet (AG2R) in third, to become the first Briton to triumph on the climb. Thomas now leads Froome by 1 minute and 39 seconds in the overall standings. Dumoulin is third at 1:50. With Italian Vincenzo Nibali in hospital and Colombian Nairo Quintana 4:13 off the pace, Sky are in pole position.

Sky’s rivals were intent on redressing the balance and it looked like Thomas’s lead was in danger when Dutchman Steven Kruijswijk launched an attack, but it was futile. In the closing kilometres, Thomas and Froome countered Dumoulin and Bardet’s attempts to shake them off and Thomas took the final bend with tactical perfection to claim the win. –