Haifa decent for Froome

CHRIS FROOME finished stage two of the Giro d’italia unscathed as Elia Viviani sprinted to victory.

After his spills before Friday’s time-trial Froome enjoyed a trouble-free 103-mile jaunt from Haifa to Tel Aviv. Today’s stage through the Negev Desert to the Red Sea resort of Eilat will be a sterner test of how well he has bounced back from his tumble.

With the four-time Tour de France champion (below) struggling and 20th overall, focus has shifted to fellow Brit Simon Yates, now seventh.

The Bury-born Mitchelton-scott rider, who came home (above, right) with Froome in the main bunch, said: “I feel really good. I had a really good training camp before this and wen you feel good you’re confident. I don’t have any doubts in myself.

“I feel like I can challenge the best guys, so we’ll just see how it goes.”

Viviani hit the front with 100m to go and crossed the line ahead of fellow Italian Jakub Mareczko.

Elsewhere, German Max Walscheid won stage three of the Tour of Yorkshire in Scarborough.