Thomas too quick
GERAINT THOMAS has thrown down the gauntlet to Chris Froome by conquering the Alps to chalk up a spectacular stage win and seize the Yellow Jersey at the Tour de France.
An inspired Thomas made his move from a small group of elite riders halfway up the final climb on stage 11, launching a blistering attack to chase down a dangerous break by Tom Dumoulin.
Thomas quickly caught Dumoulin but slowed his pace as Froome and Dan Martin caught up
before attacking again within two miles of the line. Showing his speed after a tough day, Thomas then hunted down Mikel Nieve to win the stage by 20 seconds.
Froome finished third to move to second overall. A brutal day also saw Mark Cavendish eliminated after missing the time cut.
“It is unreal,” said Thomas. “It is always an honour to be in yellow. I knew it was a good chance but I didn’t know what everyone else would ride like.”
There can be no doubting Thomas is a genuine contender for Sky even though team leader Froome is gunning for a fifth win.
Froome seemed happy enough with the outcome, saying: “Geraint’s attack was a bit of a spur-of-themoment thing but it made sense. It was perfect, we didn’t even have to talk and it was the right thing for him to do. I let the wheel go because I knew the onus would be on the rest of the guys to chase.”
Sky now have a dilemma likely to be solved by natural selection, a process that could begin on today’s gruelling stage featuring two monster climbs before a mountain-top finish on Alpe d’Huez.