A book author and former sports writer with The Sydney Morning Herald – reporting on cycling, rugby union, rowing and sailing – but some might argue that he is best known for his taste (or lack of it) in Hawaiian shirts.
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Yellow jersey Chris Froome was runner-up on the day, putting more time into all his rivals, Nairo Quintana (Colombia/Movistar) lost a spot in the GC while Bauke Mollema took over second. “It’s too sad. It’s hard to talk about today’s stage”. He has surprised everyone so far though and that could well continue for the rest of the Tour.
Dutchman Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) took his second 2016 Tour de France win on Friday in the 37.5-km time trial, giving him five Grand Tour stage triumphs in the last 10-months.
“We can’t let our guard down, but it was important that they continued the race”, said fan Bruno Pruvost after organizers had an emergency meeting with authorities.
His climbing has been almost on par with the best in the race and even in the time trial, where Yates has struggled in the past, he performed above expectations, alongside better-credentialed riders like Porte, Quintana and Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo).
The largest monetary reward in Tour de France history is on offer to this year’s cyclists, with €500,000 from a €2,295,850 prize money pool is paid out to the overall victor.
Courtesy of an impressive performance in the time trial, Froome leads Mollema by 1:47 overall, with Briton Adam Yates in third place, 2:45 back. The lighter riders in particular were greatly affected and the time gaps were significant.
The Tour de France resumed as planned on Friday but under heightened security as riders observed a moment of silence in tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack in Nice, France.
Later, Froome and Dumoulin spoke with outward emotion.
Amid reinforced security, the race rolled on and thousands of people lined the 23-mile route in Ardeche to celebrate the Tour and pay homage to the dozens killed and injured by a truck which drove through beachfront crowds celebrating Bastille Day.
The sprinters will fancy their chances on Saturday as the terrain dictates a fast finish, but Froome’s positioning and kick might see him obliterate the field in the final minutes of the battle. Our thoughts are with everyone, and the families in Nice. I think we’re in for more fireworks in this next week. “The promenade where we ride up and down, to see it the way it was with bodies after the attack, they were horrific, horrific scenes and it definitely puts things in perspective for us”.
“I think it’s pretty clear today everyone’s thoughts are with those affected down in Nice”, Froome said.
French rider Amaël Moinard (BMC), who lives in Saint-Laurent-Du-Var near Nice, expressed support for the decision to carry on. Every day we will keep fighting, then whatever happens, happens. “We’re going to try everything we can”. “There is no other solution”.
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Mark Cavendish prevailed in a bunch sprint at Villars-les-Dombes to claim his fourth stage win of this year’s Tour and 30th overall.
