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Geraint Thomas tightened his lead over the Tour de France as Chris Froome's hopes of winning a fourth consecutive title disappeared in the mist of the Pyrenees.
It was a brutal day for the defending champion. in second place overall, but finished third, two minutes and 31 seconds behind Thomas.
Between the two British runners, Tom Dumoulin, of Sunweb, has one minute and 59 seconds behind Thomas after attempting and failing the Welshman on the last five kilometers of a short but wild stage of 65 km. 19659004] No risk strategy
Instead, it is Thomas who finished the strongest of the pair, ahead of his closest rivals, but behind the winner of the stage Nairo Quintana and Irishman Daniel Martin.
"I did not want to risk anything, that's why I left it as late as possible," said Thomas, questioned about his strategy. "Especially at high altitude, as soon as you hit and you stick for five seconds, it can bite your bad, so I did not want to risk anything, we had to leave it as late as possible and then go get it. line and try to get the seconds. "
He did that, extending his lead by 20 seconds and bringing him closer and closer to his first. Title of the tour in Paris on Sunday. "I think I'm in a good position now," said Thomas. "But I'm not going to change my approach.As soon as you start to get carried away, it's when it goes down … I feel good, but I'm not going to pack, keep doing it." full, eat and drink the best I can and let no indulgence slip in. 1965 Froome Weakens
For most of the stage, Froome and Thomas rode side by side in the bunch, but as they were rapidly climbing the third of the three towering peaks, the Col du Portet, Froome, was beginning to waver.
"Froomey said on the radio perhaps with four or five kilometers to do that. he did not feel great and that gave me confidence, "admitted Thomas." Because if Froomey was suffering, everyone was suffering. And I felt good … It was a tough race start, and everyone was on the limit. But as the climb continued, I felt better and better.
Thomas said that even though he did not like to see Froome having "a bad day", he nevertheless felt the troubles of the quadruple champion. "That shows that we are honest with each other, "said Thomas." We are sincerely good friends and honest and open. I think that's the main reason for our success right here at this tour. "
Mellow about Yellow
Froome, whose day went wrong when he was accidentally knocked over by a policeman at the end of the stadium, admitted that it had been" a very intense day "
But despite his personal disappointment, he promised his loyalty to his Team Sky boyfriend.
"G ran a race so incredible and he deserves to be in yellow – and, fingers crossed, he's holding it now until Paris, "said Froome." That's what a team is. I am happy to be in this position. I've won the last three Grand Tours I've done now, so it's been hard for me but I will still try to fight for the podium and try to keep G there in yellow. "
The 18th stage of the Tour de France today is a 171 km road linking Trie-sur-Baïse to Pau.
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