Lead gains as Thomas closes in on crown

LARUNS, FRANCE >> Having worn the leader’s yellow jersey over the Alps and through the Pyrenees, only one more challenging stage stands in the way of Geraint Thomas winning his first Tour de France.

Thomas takes an advantage of 2 minutes, 5 seconds over Dutch rival Tom Dumoulin into today’s 31-kilometer (19-mile) individual time trial in the Basque Country.

The pressure of leading has reminded Thomas of the time he helped Britain to the gold medal in team pursuit on the track at the 2012 London Olympics.

“It comes down to tomorrow but I can take confidence with how I’m riding, and what will be will be,” he said.

While Dumoulin is the time trial world champion, Thomas is quite capable in the discipline and acknowledged he should be able to protect his advantage.

“It’s going to be a tough day tomorrow. I’m really knackered,” Thomas said. “I’m still trying not to get carried away.”

He increased his lead after the final mountain stage. Sky teammate and four-time champ Chris Froome lost his podium spot.

Primoz Roglic of Slovenia won the 200.5-kilometer (125-mile) 19th leg through the Pyrenees with an attack on the dangerous descent from the Col d’Aubisque. A former ski jumper who rides for Team Lotto NLJumbo, Roglic finished 19 seconds ahead of Thomas.