Stage winner Romain Bardet distributed hand kisses to the audience, reconciling the “Grande Nation” for. a tour of disappointment.
In the style of Saturday’s winner Simon Geschke the youngster made on the 18th Part under the Great Jubilee of his countrymen for the only second stage victory of the hosts at the 102nd Tour de France. Pierre Rolland as Second day 33 seconds behind made the holiday for the French perfectly.
“I was actually very tired, but wanted to again try everything. The last kilometer was the longest of my career. The spectators have a great support, “Bardet said. The man with the braces climbed after his triumph after 186.5 kilometers as the best Frenchman in tenth place in the overall classification.
Leader Chris Froome counts the hours to Paris. Separate him only 358 kilometers from his second Tour victory after 2013. The narrow Briton fought also on Thursday all attacks on his leadership from routine. The yellow jersey was despite fierce resistance from the competition no meter space.
Froome continues with 3:10 minutes ahead of the Colombian Nairo Quintana and 4:09 minutes to the Spanish champion Alejandro Valverde in the three final stages. From premature congratulations he wanted nothing more to know: “I am thinking about last year. In my fall, which forced me to give up, we have seen how quickly this can always happen “
The French were at” their “Tour cheer at last. The 24-year old Bardet, of a safe gelaubten success had gambled so amateurish in Mende, made the second stage victory for the hosts after the success of Alexis Vuillermoz perfect. Bardet had started his solo 35 kilometers before the finish. The favorite with Froome at the top rolled 3:02 minutes later across the finish line.
At 21.7 km long climb to the 1924 meter high Col de Glandon, who started 60 kilometers from the target, raced the events. The Froome’s opponents were preparing a major attack. First Alberto Contador launched a kind of desperation attack.
Not later than the day before after his fall and a further loss of time for the tip he had said goodbye to all victory dreams and thus of his great plan of Doubles from Giro and Tour victory. But he did not want to admit defeat without a fight himself. “It was very, very hard today and I could still feel the injury. I’ll try not to go on the podium, “said the fifth-placed Spaniard
According to Contador and Nibali had attacked Quintana -. But Froome remained cool and always within reach. On the descent from the top riders were all Glandon reunited. On the final climb ten kilometers before the finish went on the hot battle in the Alps. But Froome always remained master of the situation.
Quintana has two stages to shake on Friday and especially in Saturday’s climb to l’Alpe d’Huez at the throne of the British. Tour runner-up was already Quintana on his debut-2013.
Already in the first 15 kilometers of the third Alpine stage a star-studded top group of 29 riders had formed. German drivers were missing in her, however.
Simon Geschke rebounded after his tour de force from the day before as best they could and played on Thursday not matter. When all Feierei he did not get shut in the night the eyes from 3.00 clock, he declared at the start. He crossed the finish line 35:51 minutes after the stage winner
After the 18th stage victory of a German driver since 2013 -. So 32 percent of all stages – had the Tour-organ “L’Equipe” with a mixture of admiration and frustration to a formation of Gary Lineker from football recalls: “And finally, it is again the Germans who win.”
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