Froome reflects on ‘strange’ Tour day following Nice attack

With Froome’s victory at Bagneres-de-Luchon and Steve Cummings’ solo breakaway to the Lac de Payolle, it’s not exaggerating to say that British riders have taken over the Tour this summer. A book author and former sports writer with The Sydney Morning Herald – reporting on cycling, rugby union, rowing and sailing – but some might argue that he is best known for his taste (or lack of it) in Hawaiian shirts.

On route to victory a year ago, Froome took possession of the yellow jersey on stage seven and held on to it all the way to the finish.

For time-trial specialist Dumoulin, stage 13 was his second success of this year’s tour.

Before the stage, the advertising caravan drove the route as they usually do, throwing freebies to the crowd, but without the usual fanfare of music and celebration.

Released last today with the time trial conducted in reverse order, Team Sky’s two-time victor and defending champion clocked a finishing time of 51.18 to trail Dumoulin by one minute and three seconds.

Froome also finished second in the stage, 0:01:03 behind Dumoulin, followed by Portugal’s Nelson Oliveira.

“Today was a great day to recover a little bit after a few big days”, said Froome, who leads by one minute and 47 seconds from Trek-Segafredo’s Bauke Mollema.

Down from second to third overall went Briton Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange), now 2:45 behind Froome.

The Tour de France resumed as planned on Friday but under heightened security as riders observed a moment of silence in tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack in Nice, France.

Adam Yates, wearing the best young rider’s white jersey, Thomas de Gendt, wearing the best climber’s dotted jersey, Peter Sagan, wearing the best sprinter’s green jersey, Chris Froome, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, and Stage victor Tom Dumoulin observe a minute of silence to commemorate the victims of the Nice truck attack.

Later, Froome and Dumoulin spoke with outward emotion. “We will not give in to people who want to change our way of life”.

He signed his first professional cycling contract with Team Saxo-Bank in 2010 and joined Team Sky in 2012, after which he was a key member of the team that assisted Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome in winning the 2012, 2013 and 2015 Tours de France. Their flower bouquets were then placed on the podium.

“My deepest sympathy, my deepest condolences go out to those families who have lost loved ones in Nice”.

“Of course I am happy with the win-it’s what I came for in this Tour de France”.

Despite being involved in a crash during a dramatic 12th stage on Thursday, Froome proved he was the strongest time-trialer amongst the overall favourites. I woke up to the bad news from Nice.it was a very just question whether we should race today, and a very just decision to race.

“It’s up to me to keep my exceptional shape right now, to maintain that and that means I will not go full every day. There is no other solution”.

Saturday’s schedule revolves around a 208.5km flat ride from Montelimar to Villars-les-Dombes that is likely to favour the sprinters.