Froome in control of Giro

Chris Froome stormed into the lead of the Giro d’Italia with a stunning solo ride as Simon Yates’ hopes of glory were demolished on the biggest mountain of the race.

Team Sky’s Froome attacked with 80 kilometres of the demanding 181km stage from Venaria Reale to Bardonecchia left and won the stage by two minutes and 59 seconds from Movistar’s Richard Carapaz.

The Briton takes the race leader’s pink jersey as defending champion Tom Dumoulin came home fifth, three minutes and 23 seconds down. Froome now leads by 40 seconds from Dumoulin.

Yates cracked on the Colle delle Finestre, finally crossing its gravel-road summit more than 15 minutes after Froome.

Froome is bidding to hold all three Grand Tour titles at the same time, following on from his fourth Tour de France crown and La Vuelta win last season.

“Hopefully we can finish this off tomorrow,” said Froome.