LE MONT VENTOUX, France, July 14 – Britain’s Kenyan born Chris Froome reinforced his grip on the Tour de France yellow jersey atop Mont Ventoux after winning a dramatic 15th stage on Sunday.
Team Sky leader Froome finished just ahead of Colombian Nairo Quintana of Movistar after attacking a small group of rivals 7.2km from the summit finish of the 20.8km climb to the ‘Giant of Provence’.
Spain’s former two-time winner Alberto Contador (Saxo) was unable to respond when Froome spun away from a small group of riders having seen many of them drop off the pace following a strong relay from Australian teammate Richie Porte.
Having started the stage 2:48 down on Froome, Contador finished in sixth at 1:40 off the pace and is now 4:25 behind the leader and 11secs adrift of second-placed Dutchman Bauke Mollema.
It is Froome’s fourth career stage win on the race and second of the 100th edition after his victory atop Ax-Trois-Domaines in the Pyrenees on last Sunday’s eighth stage.
