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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Chris Froome uses high mountains to take control of Tour de France

Chris Froome, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, celebrates winning the tenth stage on Tuesday. (Associated Press)
John Leicester Associated Press

LA PIERRE-SAINT-MARTIN, France – Over the earpiece tucked below his helmet, Chris Froome’s team sent word that his panting Tour de France rivals were struggling in the thinning air of the high Pyrenees, on the first skyward climb of this year’s race.

Clearly, they were having a bad day. So Froome decided to make it even worse.

Reprising the formula that carried him to victory in 2013, Froome barked an order to three teammates leading him up the punishing ascent: speed up. Shattered by the fierce uphill pace, trailing riders scattered behind them, their bluffs called and hopes dashed.

The first A-lister to crack was none other than last year’s champion, Vincenzo Nibali. Sweat beading off his chin, the Sicilian was cooked. The biggest high-profile loser of Stage 10 shed more than 4 minutes to Froome, all but ending his Tour defense.

Next, Alberto Contador dropped from the by-now shriveled group of the Tour’s hardiest, most pain-resistant climbers. The 2007 and 2009 champion zigzagged across the steep tarmac as Froome’s trusty lieutenant Richie Porte applied yet more speed. That doomed the Spaniard’s chances.

Two down, one major rival to go. Froome took down Nairo Quintana himself. Rising from his saddle with four miles still to climb to the La Pierre-Saint-Martin ski resort, Froome accelerated away. The bill for Quintana, who rode in third behind Froome and Porte, was very costly: 1 minute and 10 seconds lost overall to the British race leader, who is now firmly in control.

Closest to Froome is still Tejay van Garderen, the American leader of the BMC team. But he’s 2 minutes, 52 seconds behind. Quintana, runner-up to Froome in 2013, trails by 3:09, in third. Contador slipped back to sixth overall, 4:04 behind.