Froome closes in on third title
Chris Froome enhanced his reputation as one of the best Tour de France riders when he virtually secured his third title, holding on to his overall lead in the last competitive stage, won by Spain’s Jon Izagirre on Saturday.
Froome will wear the yellow jersey in the closing stage, a largely processional ride to the Champs Elysees in Paris on Sunday and is highly likely to join Belgium’s Philippe Thys, American Greg LeMond and France’s Louison Bobet on the list of triple winners. INTENSE RACE Ahead of them are five-time champions Miguel Indurain of Spain, Belgian great Eddy Merckx, Frenchmen Bernard Hinault and Jacques Anquetil.
“It’s been a really intense race. It’s an incredible feeling to cross the finish line with my team mates, I want to thank them for their hard work, they’ve been with me every step of the way,” Froome said.
The 31-year-old, who started the 146.5-km stage with a bandage on his right knee following a crash on Friday, was never threatened on a stormy and rainy day in the Alps. He stayed safe on the slippery descents, well protected by his Sky team mates, and crossed the line with a relieved smile on his face. LEADING THE WAY Froome, who is set to become the first rider to retain his title since Indurain in 1995, leads France’s Romain Bardet by four minutes five seconds.
Nairo Quintana of Colombia, runner-up in 2013 and 2015, is third overall, 4:21 off the pace, while another Briton, Adam Yates, is fourth at 4:42 and will don the white jersey for the best under-25 rider in Paris.
Riders and officials, with German champion Andre Greipel in front of the peloton, observed a minute’s silence in tribute to the victims of Friday’s mass shooting in Munich before the start of the stage.