Froome lets Maj rule day

CHRIS FROOME maintained his Tour de France advantage despite Rafal Majka winning stage 11 yesterday.

Froome retained the yellow jersey after finishing the 188km route from Pau to Cauterets alongside his general classification rivals.

Majka, the Polish rider who won two stages of last year’s Tour as well as the King of the Mountains title, finished one minute ahead of Ireland’s Dan Martin.

But the results had little impact on the overall standings to leave Froome within touching distance of regaining his 2013 crown.

Froome rolled in five minutes 21 seconds behind Majka in ninth place, keeping his comfortable buffer over Tejay van Garderen.

Reigning champion Vincenzo Nibali lost further time as he struggled.