FROOME IN BAD BRAKE Nibali nobbles leader of pack
CHRIS FROOME last night hit out at stage winner Vincenzo Nibali for attacking while the Team Sky rider was dealing with his dodgy brakes.
Froome, who was also spat at by a spectator on stage 19, saw his lead at the head of the field cut by 30 seconds.
And despite remaining well on course to land his second Tour de France title, Froome had some harsh words for Nibali after being relegated to third in the stage and seeing his lead over late-charging Colombian Nairo Quintana cut to two minutes 38 seconds.
Speaking after the 86-mile Alpine slog, Froome said: “Pretty close to the summit, I suddenly felt like my back wheel locked up. A bit of tar or a small stone had locked itself between my brake caliper and back wheel.
“So I had to stop and take the wheel backwards to get the stone out. Unfortunately that was the moment that Nibali decided to make his move.
“He did see what I was doing. I’m pretty sure he looked around, saw I was in trouble and attacked.
“In my opinion, you don’t do that to the race leader, it’s not sportsmanlike.”
The spitting incident follows Froome having a cup of urine thrown at him during stage 14.
The outrageous acts by fans have been prompted by allegations of doping directed at Froome, forcing Team Sky to release the 2013 Tour winner’s performance data in a bid to quell the rumours.
But with one Alpine test to go today, it will be a major shock if Froome is not wearing the yellow jersey on tomorrow’s procession up the Champs-Elysees.
Froome added: “All in all, a pretty good day for us to be able to tick off. One day closer, one day of real racing left now.”