Yates’ lead cut in half

BRITAIN’S Simon Yates had his Giro d’Italia lead cut in half after a dramatic final climb on stage 18.

Young German Max Schachmann capitalised on a breakaway to take the stage win after 196km to Prato Nevoso.

But all the drama was behind him as Yates lost 28 seconds to Tom Dumoulin, in second, and Chris Froome in fourth.

It was the first time the 25-year-old has cracked in this race, his lead now down to 28 seconds with three stages left — the final one in Rome tomorrow.

With the last 15km all uphill at an average gradient of 7 per cent, Yates would have feared a move from the powerful Dumoulin, of the Netherlands.

But it was Briton Froome who made the first telling attack within the final 2km, and while Dumoulin and Italy’s Domenico Pozzovivo went with him, the race leader could not respond.

Suddenly he was vulnerable, and his rivals sensed blood.

Froome had team-mate Wout Poels up the road to help, at least until the Dutchman took a wrong turn on a hairpin, and with Dumoulin working with him, the gap began to stretch and stretch.

Yates had performed superbly in Tuesday’s time trial but perhaps that effort had taken a bigger toll than others realised.

Dumoulin stays second overall, with Pozzovivo now two minutes 43 seconds back in third, and Froome still fourth but closing to within three minutes 22 seconds of the lead.

Yates said afterwards: “I didn’t have great legs, but I did the best I could. I’m still in front, so it’s all good.”

Both yesterday and today are brutal mountainous days before tomorrow’s processional stage around Rome, and a race that appeared Yates’ to lose is suddenly wide open once again.