FOCUSED FROOME SHOWS NO SIGN OF CRACKING

THIS was supposed to be a dangerous stage for Chris Froome, and not just because of the challenge posed by Nairo Quintana on the final climb and a potentially treacherous descent before that. There was also a threat to Froome’s safety, with one French fan vowing on Facebook to attack the Briton in yellow on the road that rises to Pra Loup. Team Sky reminded the race organisers of their concerns on the eve of this first Alpine stage and, fortunately for Froome, a cup of urine thrown by a spectator remains the worst he has had to endure. But the Sky rider still had plenty to contend with here yesterday, with Quintana twice trying to break him inside the closing three kilometres. That Froome responded as he did, closing down his rival on both occasions, would suggest the 3min 10sec lead the Briton has going into the final few days is one the secondplaced Colombian climber cannot close. Quintana tried to pull away, but to no avail. Froome shows no signs of cracking. Before this race there was talk of how uncomfortable Froome can be on descents, and few are more difficult than the series of hairpins on the descent from Col d’Allos. But the sight of Froome following Vincenzo Nibali, the defending champion and a rider considered a specialist at riding a bike scarily fast downhill, ended that debate, even if Froome was sensible enough to recce the descent once or twice with Nicolas Roche before the Tour. Froome rode superbly, underlining his mental strength when other riders might have been affected by sections of the French media who have suggested he might be doping. He said he would remain focused on the racing and he did just that. Behind him was more drama. The withdrawal of his American challenger Tejay van Garderen with 70km to go was a crushing blow for those hoping to see an American on the podium for the first time since Lance Armstrong. The BMC rider was sitting third, having ridden brilliantly thus far. But, struck by illness, he was unable to continue, breaking down on the side of the road. With van Garderen out and Alberto Contador losing time after crashing on the final descent, Geraint Thomas moved from sixth to fourth overall. A place on the podium still looks beyond the Welshman, with Alejandro Valverde almost two-and-a-half minutes ahead, but his performance has been commendable given all his energy has gone into working for Froome. After a stage won by a German, Simon Geschke, Froome claimed Quintana had tested him. ‘I was definitely pushed to my limits today by the attacks,’ he said.