Gallery
Suffering TdF144
This title sums up the nineteenth stage of this Tour. Many had crashed once the rains came down. Amongst those to leave some lycra and skin on the alpine roads was the Maillot Jaune of Chris Froome (Sky). Due to Team Sky's planning for every scenario, Froome was surrounded by his teammates. One of whom, Geraint Thomas, happens to have a bike that fits Froome rather well. Certainly much better than the one he got from neutral service on the climb of Mont Ventoux. With Bardet up the road, everyone was racing hard leaving Froome no chance to trade back to his own steed. Like sharks, the rest of the peloton was sensing blood in the water, almost literally given how wet the roads were. For the first time since he pulled on the Maillot Jaune, Froome was losing time to his rivals. But never one to panic, he reeled his biggest fear, Richie Porte (BMC) back in, but most of the others were able to pull back some time. Froome was tended to by his faithful teammate, Wouter Poels the whole way up the climb. As the pair crossed the line, Froome first act was to reach out, pat Poels on the back in thanks for all of his work. Riding away from the Yellow Jersey are Fabio Aru (Astana), Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) and several others. One the day, the big loser was Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo), and losing time to his rival for the Maillot Blanc was Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange). Although neither Froome nor Yates lost their jersey in the end.