Frum lost, Sky won – Cycling News – Summer

Christopher Froom, whose appearance at the most prestigious multi-day event in the world caused a huge amount of gossip, was left without a win. His third place overall after three consecutive triumphal years is definitely a step backwards. For the British, we will usually remember the current Tour de France for the most part negatively. After a controversial story with salbutamol, he was initially admitted with a squeak, and at the presentation – booed. And during the race, the fans were frankly cold towards the main cycling star of recent years.

THOMAS BREAK

Froom did not win a single step, and although he was able to finish the test in three days. Nevertheless, Sky's dominance over everything else continues. The British have luxurious financial conditions, a huge sphere of influence and the deepest bench of the best riders. Leave one – in its place immediately stands another. Here and Frum was replaced by his compatriot Gereint Thomas. Two-time Olympic champion on the track. Who at his 32 years Grand Tours before 15th place was not high.

The most important in terms of the championship was the 11th stage. The peloton had to cross the most difficult part of the mountain with an altitude of 4000 m, the Belgian leader Gren van Avermath, who was in the lead at that time, expected to lose a lot – and rolled beyond of ten. But Thomas won a beautiful victory, took the lead – and kept it until the last day. Continuing the glorious traditions of the British bike path.

In fact, the Dutchman Tom Dumolen was the only one who really tried to dislodge him from the throne. But he was fighting almost alone. If Thomas, when his prospects began to clear, the entire team worked, then Dumolen had to resist Sky and try to make escape attempts on his own. Almost none of these provisions could oust more than second place.

ZAKARIN IN THE TOP 10

Katusha Alpecin, represented by the best Russian rider Ilnur Zakarin, had some notable problems. He was the first time in his career was the captain of the Tour de France team, which is not for nothing called the toughest in the world of many days. In the third week of the eight drivers of the Swiss team, there were only four. In such circumstances, it was almost impossible to get into the top 5, which Zakarin dreamed about. But in the top ten, he managed to climb even in the context of these circumstances, which is an excellent achievement. Ilnur is sure to bring the current "Tour" to the badet.

As for the rallies, they were numerous this time. So on the 12th, under absolutely ridiculous circumstances, the trauma was received by Italian superstar Vincenzo Nibali. A few kilometers from the finish line, he grabbed the fan camera belt – and fell. The case ended with an operation on the spine.

Earlier, the German Tony Martin and the Australian Ritchie Port had fallen into the rubble. And if this is not the case with a Tour de France, then the peasant strikes and the use of tear gas against them – that was something new . This, we hope, will not happen again.

The Tour de France is over, but the big cycling season continues. In front of the championships of Europe and the world, the "Vuelta". Let's hope that these beginnings will bring good news to Russia.