Tour de France riders set off for grueling Alpine stage

That was where the stage was sure to be won or lost with a 13km first category climb preceding a 10km hors category one, and only 7km of downhill between the two to gain some respite.

This result sees the Team Sky rider extend his lead over Bauke Mollema to 2 minutes and 27 seconds while Adam Yates is now sitting third.

He said: “The body is fine, like in previous years”. “I am 26, and there are a lot of people ahead of me who have more experience”. “To leave a race and organisation that I hold so much respect for and a team that I have such a special bond with has not been an easy decision at all”. “I did the best I could”.

“It’s been a very hard Tour for Nairo”, said Froome, after the Colombian lost another 28 seconds.

“I think for him to re-enter into the game again, he is going to have to do a real good time trial tomorrow”.

The provisional general classification showed Froome two minutes 27 seconds clear of Trek-Segafredo’s Mollema with Yates, riding for Orica-BikeExchange, two minutes and 53 seconds back.

“I don’t think it was possible to go faster than Richie at the end”. “I’m satisfied with my performance”. It was a good time to get a gap like that.

“It did bring back a few memories”, Froome said of attacking with his long-time training partner.

“For me at this point, it really is about trying to follow those main contenders and just staying out of trouble”.

The Tour continues on Thursday with a 17km individual time trial from Sallanches to Megeve.

“I spoke with the sports director this morning, he said, ‘just use your head”. “I’m really happy now”.

“Tomorrow is going to be crucial and this is the first day of a four-day block (in the Alps)”.

After Rafal Majka and Jarlinson Pantano moved away from the leading pack on the descent of Col de la Forclaz, the Russian cyclist caught them and launched a furious attack on the last climb with 6.5 kilometers left.

Tour leader Chris Froome was also unaware that the International Olympic Committee is examining the legal options of a blanket ban following a report by World Anti-Doping Agency investigator Richard McLaren that accused Russia’s sports ministry of overseeing doping of the country’s Olympic athletes.

Zakarin, who was suspended in 2009 for two years after testing positive for the forbidden anabolic steroid methandienone, finished 55 seconds ahead of Pantano.