Tour’s 3rd day in Alps underway

Stage: The pack faced four climbs including the Croix de Fer pass – one of the hardest ascents in cycling – and an uphill finish at the La Toussuire ski station in a 138-kilometer (86-mile) course from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. The rear wheel just jammed up.

It was a classic pursuit match between two riders with contrasting styles, the impassive Colombian versus Froome, who climbs with his face and neck working painfully, his head constantly dipping and falling.

“The technology exists. Yes, my bike was one of those checked (on Thursday) – I’m happy they’re doing the checks, they’re probably needed given all the rumours out there”.

“Obviously that, in my opinion, is very unsportsmanlike”.

The worldwide Cycling Union (UCI) has called on supporters to show respect to riders over the rest of the Tour de France.

Nibali, however, denied that he knew Froome had a mechanical when he made his move. “As a team we had decided to accelerate on the Croix de Fer anyway. There’s absolutely no rule for that”.

He had to sit at home and watch on as Vincenzo Nibali rode to a commanding Tour victory.

There were also fireworks in the race and another spectator incident appearing to involve Froome. Alberto Contador (Spain) Tinkoff-Saxo, 6:40; 6.

The 30-year-old Team Sky leader successfully countered attacks from nearest rival Nairo Quintana (Movistar) early and late on the 161-kilometres route from Digne-les-Bains as German Simon Geschke (Giant-Alpecin) won.

Rolland’s pressure was to no avail as Bardet sealed a maiden Tour stage win – moving level with Rodriguez in the King of the Mountains contest.

He added that as far as he is concerned, no rule says other riders must wait when a race leader has an accident.

Behind Bardet, Froome had three team-mates for company – Thomas, Nicolas Roche and Leopold Konig. Cyril Gautier (France) Europcar, 1:50; 8.

Another mountain stage done, two more to go.

As they did on the first Alpine stage on Wednesday, Froomes rivals again tested him but couldnt make him crack over seven climbs.

Chris Froome kept hold of the race leader’s yellow jersey as the top eight riders all came in together at 3min 02sec behind the victor.

He is now 15th after losing more than 20 minutes. With news of Quintana feeling less than 100% trickling through the media, the armistice in the yellow jersey group continued.

Froome remains 3 minutes, 10 seconds ahead of second-place Nairo Quintana. Sky rode a steady tempo on the front of a group that had grown in size with the addition of breakaway riders. Alejandro Valverde (Sp/Movistar) 7.

Even so, the Sky team leader had to face down more questions over his performances after Thursday’s 18th Tour stage.

He has been subjected to innuendo, abuse and interrogation in this Tour and had urine thrown at him during stage 14 to Mende.

The next climb was the nasty Col de la Croix de Fer, an HC colossus at 22.4-km of 6.9%.

No sooner had the descent ended than the next climb began. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) Astana, 8:04; 8. Nibali attacked Rolland just two kilometres into the climb, powering on alone towards the summit, while Rolland drifted back to the remnants of the peloton.

“(But) the yellow jersey is our focus and that’s got to come over everything else at this point.

Those weren’t the only fireworks on the exhausting Alpine stage that moved Froome one step closer to a second Tour victory.

Asked if he hated being in the yellow jersey because of the scrutiny, Froome said: “No. I definitely do not hate being in this position”.

Triumphant in 2013, he withdrew from last year’s race on stage five due to injuries sustained in crashes. I just didn’t have anything.

Movistar will go with the 1-2 attack strategy and will take some valuable time out of Froome whilst it could be Ryder Hesejdal’s day to shine in the Alps.