Tour de France: Sky's the limit for overall leader Chris Froome

Chris Froome says he is in the perfect position after fending off repeated attacks on his Tour de France lead yesterday.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Jul 2016, 00:03 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 18:10 BST
Britain's Chris Froome, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, drinks prior to the start of the ninth stage. Picture: AP/Christophe Ena.Britain's Chris Froome, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, drinks prior to the start of the ninth stage. Picture: AP/Christophe Ena.
Britain's Chris Froome, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, drinks prior to the start of the ninth stage. Picture: AP/Christophe Ena.

As Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) won the 184.5-kilometres ninth stage from Vielha val d’Aran to Andorre Aracalis, Froome fought to retain the yellow jersey he seized in surprise fashion on Saturday.

The Team Sky leader carries a 16-second lead into today’s first rest day after repeatedly snuffing out attacks as torrential rain poured down. His group of rivals is dwindling.

The 31-year-old said: “I’m really happy with that.

Britain's Chris Froome, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, Australias Richie Porte, left, and Colombias Nairo Quintana, second left, climb in pouring rain and hail towards Andorra Arcalis during the ninth stage. Picture: AP/Christophe EnaBritain's Chris Froome, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, Australias Richie Porte, left, and Colombias Nairo Quintana, second left, climb in pouring rain and hail towards Andorra Arcalis during the ninth stage. Picture: AP/Christophe Ena
Britain's Chris Froome, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, Australias Richie Porte, left, and Colombias Nairo Quintana, second left, climb in pouring rain and hail towards Andorra Arcalis during the ninth stage. Picture: AP/Christophe Ena
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“Of course, it would always be nice to try to take a bit more time, to have a bit more of a buffer in the yellow jersey.

“All in all I’m really happy going into the first rest day in yellow.

“I’ve got a fantastic team around me and I couldn’t be in a better place right now.”

Briton Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange), wearing the best young rider’s white jersey, remains second overall after finishing 10th on the stage.

Britain's Chris Froome, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, Australias Richie Porte, left, and Colombias Nairo Quintana, second left, climb in pouring rain and hail towards Andorra Arcalis during the ninth stage. Picture: AP/Christophe EnaBritain's Chris Froome, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, Australias Richie Porte, left, and Colombias Nairo Quintana, second left, climb in pouring rain and hail towards Andorra Arcalis during the ninth stage. Picture: AP/Christophe Ena
Britain's Chris Froome, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, Australias Richie Porte, left, and Colombias Nairo Quintana, second left, climb in pouring rain and hail towards Andorra Arcalis during the ninth stage. Picture: AP/Christophe Ena
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Froome finished 11th on the same time, six minutes 35 seconds behind Dutchman Dumoulin, who soloed to victory after attacking from the escape group 12km from the end.

Nairo Quintana (Movistar) was on Froome’s wheel and the Colombian appeared to be the only rider not to try to stretch the Briton on the concluding ascent.

Quintana is fourth, 23secs adrift, with Birmingham-born Irishman Dan Martin (Etixx-QuickStep) third, 19secs behind.

Thursday’s stage to Mont Ventoux is likely to be the next key one for Froome and his overall rivals.

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Froome won on the Giant of Provence in 2013 en route to winning his first Tour.

The Briton’s Tour has been better than expected so far, while Alberto Contador could not have fared much worse.

Two-time winner Contador (Tinkoff) abandoned the race yesterday, while sitting 20th overall, after early crashes and illness.

He was one of four riders to abandon on the day.

Related topics:Tour de France