German wins scenic 11th stage, Froome extends his overall lead

MONT- SAINT- MICHEL, France — German rider Tony Martin won the 11th stage of the Tour de France and secondplace Chris Froome finished way ahead of his main rivals to strengthen his overall lead on Wednesday.

As the two- time world time trial champion, Martin did not disappoint over the 33- kilometre route in Normandy from Avranches to the medieval walled town of Mont- Saint- Michel.

Froome was quicker over the first two time splits, but slowed down in the last section and rolled in 12 seconds slower than Martin, who won in just over 36 minutes.

Froome was the only rider to get within a minute of Martin, with Belgian Thomas De Gendt 1: 01 behind in third. While Martin is not a Tour challenger, others who are supposed to be slipped further behind.

Alejandro Valverde and two- time former champion Alberto Contador were two minutes or more slower than Froome, while 2010 champ Andy Schleck and 2011 champ Cadel Evans all lost massive time.

Valverde is still in second place overall but 3: 25 adrift. Contador improved to fourth but is 3: 54 behind.

Svein Tuft of Langley, a time- trial specialist, finished sixth in 38: 04. Victoria’s Ryder Hesjedal remained the top Canadian in the overall classification in 41st place, 32: 38 behind Froome. Quebec City’s David Veilleux was 130th overall, while Tuft was 178th.