Molina wins Stage 16 thriller

GAP, France — Racing downhill at breakneck speeds, Ruben Plaza Molina rode triumphantly into Gapas the solo winner of a treacherous Stage 16 on Monday that saw a teammate of race leader Chris Froome careen into a telephone pole and Peter Sagan finish second for a fifth time.

Froome’s Sky teammate Geraint Thomas, who is sixth overall, suffered the terrifying crash on a hairpin bend, after another rider collided into him. The hard bump sent the Sky rider thumping shoulder- and head-first into the telephone pole. He bounced off it and disappeared into a dark thicket of woods, with his bike, scattering roadside spectators who leaped out of the way.

Thomas was able to remount, ride on and finish.