Gallery
Left to Chase CdD39
The reduced peloton lead by Mikel Landa, Sergio Henao and the Yellow Jersey of Chris Froome was gaining on those up the road. At least, they were until Romain Bardet launched his final attack. Froome knew that he had a minute and 52 seconds on the Frenchman riding for Ag2r, but he had to keep chasing. Tucked onto Froome's wheel were the three riders just behind him on the General Classification, and they were riding in the placing order as well. Richie Porte (BMC), Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) and Dan Martin (Etixx-Quickstep) all shared Froome's desire to pull back the brown and pale blue clad Bardet. The slopes of Meribel were stacking up to deliver the excitement everyone was expecting on the penultimate stage of the Dauphine.