Froome flies ahead to win Tour stage

British rider Chris Froome has shown why he remains the overwhelming Tour de France favourite by winning the gruelling 15th stage up to Mont Ventoux.

Froome managed to extend his lead over main rival Alberto Contador on Sunday when he attacked about two-thirds of the way up the mammoth 21-kilometre Ventoux.

His brutal acceleration was too much for two-time former champion Contador.

The Spaniard dropped back and finished about 1 minute, 40 seconds behind. Colombian Nairo Quintana was second.

The win means Froome effectively made up the time he lost on Friday’s sprint stage, when Contador caught him out with a surprise attack.

Ventoux is one of the most famed climbs in the Tour’s 110-year history.

Britain’s Tom Simpson collapsed and died on it during the 1967 Tour.

Froome raised his right arm in the air when he crossed the line for his second stage win of the race after winning a mountain stage in the Pyrenees on stage 8 with a similarly decimating attack.

“It was incredible today, incredible,” Froome said.

“This is the biggest victory of my career.

“I didn’t imagine this, this climb is so historical. It means so much to this race, especially being the 100th edition. I really
can’t believe this.”

He now leads Dutchman Bauke Mollema by four minutes, 14 seconds and Contador by 4:25.