COMMANDING FROOME CLIMBS ONE STEP CLOSER TO GLORY

THE sudden fall of a car-park barrier might have proved rather embarrassing for Sir Dave Brailsford as it hit his head during a TV interview but for Team Sky, yesterday was always more about the ascent. And once again they demonstrated a certain prowess in that department, Chris Froome tightening his grip on the yellow jersey with a commanding, controlling performance on the Col du Galibier. One more mountain stage remains and not until Froome has arrived safely at the summit of the Col d’Izoard this afternoon will he dare believe a fourth Tour de France victory is within his grasp. But the signs were more than positive here, Froome comfortably responding to the attacks that were mounted against him and his chief minder, Mikel Landa. The pace proved too much for Fabian Aru, who dropped to fourth overall after losing contact on the brutal rise towards the highest summit of the race. Aru could yet spring a surprise today but last night it looked as though a four-horse race had been cut to three, with Rigoberto Uran and Romain Bardet now 27 seconds down on Froome after the defending champion stole four more seconds by sprinting to third in the stage. It was won by Slovenian former ski jumper Primoz Roglic in a courageous solo breakaway. Froome was in the chasing group and at no point did he ever look in any discomfort. ‘It’s still very close,’ he said. ‘There’s still just 27 seconds between us. Especially when you consider tomorrow finishes on top of Izoard, the last tough stage and last opportunity for the climbers. But I feel I’m coming into form.’ Marcel Kittel, who led the green jersey contest, was forced to retire from the race after crashing early in the stage.