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PAU, France – Yellow jersey holder Geraint Thomas "waits for the worst", but warned his ambitious rivals that the last day in the mountains could put an end to their chances on the Tour de France podium
Thomas moved closer to becoming the first champion of Wales when he crossed the 18th stage in Pau safely and with his lead of 1min 59sec on the Dutchman Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) intact.
Thomas had a chance to escape his bike "After escaping such surprises on Thursday, the 32-year-old has only to focus on a hilly 19th stage that presents Pyrenean clbadics such as The Aspin Pbad, Col du Tourmalet and Col d'Aubisque, and I hope Team Sky will do the rest.
Geraint Thomas finishes safely and keeps the yellow jersey after stage 18 of the Tour de France # TDF2018 #bbccycling pic.twitter.com/BSXSw5MWDt
– BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales July 26, 2018
"I think we are expecting the worst, hoping for the best," Thomas said.
"It will be a big test."
However, Thomas has the run in his favor as he tries to bring back Team Sky's sixth yellow jersey from the last seven editions, four of which were won by his team-mate Chris Froome
The finish line is 20km from the top of the Aubisque pbad, which means that every time his rivals have gleaned the final, a 16.6 km climb could theoretically be lost on the descent.
rivals spend trying to loosen his grip on a yellow jersey won following consecutive victories in the Alps could, he believes, be paid for the penultimate against-the- shows more than 31 km
"It's the last mountain stage and I think guys will grab every possible opportunity. But at the same time, in the back of their mind, they still have to make the time trial, "adds Thomas.
"They could make a big and big move tomorrow (Friday) and win two, three minutes or whatever"
"It's interesting, but we drove very well throughout the race, and I hope we can continue for one more day.
: Boos sounds strong for Froome as BMC edge Sky in the team time trial
The biggest threat to Thomas comes from Dumoulin, who said: "If I see an opportunity, I'll go take."
At two minutes, the Dutchman conceded: "My chances of victory are slim … I should take something two minutes from him, so it's complicated."
Mikel Landa, former rider of Sky, rival Movistar and hoping To lift his teammate Nairo Quintana from fifth place, he warned: "Friday will be our day, it will be difficult, but tomorrow we hope to turn the race. "
The stage of the day is even more intriguing: Froome, who was aiming for his fourth consecutive victory in the Grand Tour, is fighting for a place on the podium.
Third overall at 2:31 after losing second place to Dumoulin on Wednesday, Kenyan Britney is in danger of losing his spot on the podium in Paris in his wake.
The Slovenian Primoz Roglic, former jumper of Lotto-Jumbo, is at 16sec while the Colombian Quintana is at 3:30.
"To have Froomey at my disposal, so to speak, is just, like, phenomenal" said Thomas. "19659002" "But I hope he will not have to do much anyway.I think the last final (ascent) will be up to the legs.
" It would be nice to continue to do what we did. "
AFP
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