Froome tightens grip
FINHAUT-EMOSSON: Chris Froome took a big step towards winning a third Tour de France as Nairo Quintana’s challenge wilted on Wednesday’s first Alpine stage.
Russia’s Ilnur Zakarin won the 184.5km 17th stage from Bern to Finhaut-Emosson in Switzerland ahead of Sunday’s stage 15 winner Jarlinson Pantano of Colombia.
Froome put in a burst inside the final 2km to chase after former Sky teammate Richie Porte of Australia and put time into all his other rivals.
Quintana, who was the first to respond to Porte’s attack and then Froome’s counter, cracked badly and lost 28 seconds to the race leader.
The 26-year-old Colombian — second overall to Froome in 2013 and 2015 — remains fourth but is drifting away from even a podium finish, now 3min 27sec behind Froome.
“He (Quintana) tried one time (to attack) but maybe he didn’t have the legs like last year,” said Froome.
“It was tough but I’m happy to follow the best — Richie Porte today was very strong on the final climb.
“It’s never easy but maybe I feel better in the third week than last year, for sure.”
A young star was born as Adam Yates resisted the best of the rest and lost only 8 seconds to Froome.
He stays third, but at 2:53s he is now only 26 seconds behind second-placed Bauke Mollema of the Netherlands, who gave up 40 seconds to the race leader. Tasmanian Porte, 31, who has been the only rider to remain alongside Froome in all three uphill finishes at this Tour, looks a strong bet for a top-three finish, now moving up to sixth overall at 4:27.
He lost 1:45 due to a late puncture on the second stage and but for that would be second overall.