After winning the Tour of Turkey in 2014, and the San Sebastian single-day classic previous year, Yates is already being tipped as a future victor of a major tour.
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When BMC’s Richie Porte attacked from the group of main contenders late on the final climb up to the Emosson Dam, only Froome could respond to join his former team-mate.
For that Froome believes Tom Dumoulin, who won the first time-trial last week, is the favourite, but he acknowledges Quintana could shine, if he rediscovers his legs.
The Dutchman lost 1:25 to Froome but remains second overall at 3:52. “I think pacing was key today”.
Froome made the most of a brutal final ascent to the artificial lake of Finhaut-Emosson to tighten his grip on the race and take another step toward a third title in four years in cycling’s biggest event.
“Really, really happy with that”. Today was only the first of a block of four hard days in the mountains. “Today wasn’t great but it also wasn’t bad. It’s a massive bonus to take more time on the rivals”.
Quintana had been expected to be Froome’s biggest rival in this Tour but he now sits four minutes and 37 seconds off yellow.
The Manxman collected stage wins in fives and sixes during his heyday – winning 16 between 2009 and 2011 – but this year’s haul is more than he has managed in the past three Tours combined.
Froome extended his lead over Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) to 2:27 and compatriot Adam Yates (Orica) to 2:53.
Pressed on racing in the break with Porte, Froome said: “It did bring back a few memories. It was nice to ride with my old team-mate again”, said Froome. But this time he was putting me under pressure. “The next couple of days are mountain heavy so let’s hope I can chip away some time”.
But a tight battle is set to unravel for second and third places during the next two stages, with the Alps offering opportunities for riders to attack. “I’m really looking forward to taking my chance and fighting for that podium”, Porte said. I have felt strong. The team is fully behind me. It happened after a number of other moves.
But looking beyond this summer, cycling’s all time great and five-times Tour victor Eddy Merckx yesterday predicted Froome major two-wheeled success well into the future. “So I began to think of the Tour, so perhaps I could win a stage here”, Zakarin said through a translator. “But my team was incredible, they did an wonderful job and I was able to stay with the best”.
“In my opinion Richie Porte is the most risky – he looks like the strongest climber in this race other than Froome”, said Yates. While he is still fourth overall, he is now three minutes 27 seconds behind Froome.
Quintana said so after losing another minute and ten seconds to leader Chris Froome in Thursday’s 17-kilometer time-trial from Sallanches to Megeve. “I am 26, and there are a lot of people ahead of me who have more experience”.
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“I didn’t have a great day today”. It was a good attack and Froome was the only that came with me.
