YATES SEES GIRO LEAD HALVED BY DUMOULIN

SIMON YATES saw his lead in the Giro d’Italia halved by defending champion Tom Dumoulin as Max Schachmann won stage 18. Yates cracked on the climb to the summit finish at Prato Nevoso as Dumoulin followed an attack from Team Sky’s Chris Froome inside the final two kilometres of the 196km stage from Abbiategrasso. Team Sunweb’s Dumoulin took 28 seconds out of Mitchelton-Scott’s Yates, halving the Brit’s advantage in the leader’s pink jersey. This was the first time Yates, 25, has appeared to be in any trouble since taking the pink jersey on stage six. ‘I didn’t have great legs so I did the best I could and that’s it,’ Yates said. ‘I’m still in front so it’s all good.’ Dutchman Dumoulin said: ‘It’s a good day but I know the coming two days are going to be different and much harder than today,’ he said. Froome remains in fourth, three minutes and 22 seconds off pink.