Two-time champ Alberto Contador of Spain gained a spot, from sixth to fifth, and 2014 victor Vincenzo Nibali did too, rising from ninth to eighth – but all lost time to Froome. We’re all here to race our bikes. Quintana trails by 3:10. I want him to be able to grow up one day and see wildlife in the wild for himself.
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Noting his fall in the general classification, he said: “It’s a pity but, you know, the podium is still very much a realistic goal”.
“It’s a waste, as second on a Tour stage is useless”, he said.
Barring a disaster, Sagan will wear the green jersey all the way to Paris. Team Sky are furious about this, blaming this commentary for creating the increasingly poisonous atmosphere.
Stage 15 of the Tour de France begins Sunday.
“It’s a great day for the team”.
Cummings, who rode for Team Sky in 2010 in support of Bradley Wiggins, and again at the 2012 Tour, riding for BMC Racing’s Cadel Evans, had been part of the day’s 20-man escape group and just about stayed in touch as Bardet led Pinot over the summit of the final climb, the second category Côte de la Croix Neuve.
And on a day in which Britain’s Davis Cup tennis team took a 2-1 lead over France, Briton Cummings stole a march on a pair of Frenchmen to win the stage as compatriot Chris Froome retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey.
Colombia’s Nairo Quintana assumed second place 3:10 behind Froome, who claimed afterwards a spectator had thrown urine at him and accused him of being a doper during the stage.
Astana team officials have asked Tour organizers to help them file a police report after the 14th stage from Rodez to Mende. “I had to play the waiting game… the key was to remain calm and take my opportunity when it arrived”.
The Associated Press called the Brit Hotel Causse Comtal in Montrozier seeking comment, but the manager was not immediately available.
Froome said: “I certainly wouldn’t blame the public for this”.
It is no longer the riders who are bringing the sport into disrepute now, its those individuals, and they know who they are.. Froome seems impossible to shake with his good form. If we get in the break, it would be ideal. I saw Pinot was behind me, and he’s cautious in the corners so I threw caution to the wind. I think it’s really disappointing.
But with 44 kilometres of climbing in the early stage, no one could pull away with conviction.
His teammate, Richie Porte, was punched on Tuesday, according to the Telegraph Cycling Podcast. I got a little gap, and I’m pretty confident with those climbers that a gap on the flat or downhill it’s hard to catch me.
Froome blamed “very irresponsible” reporters for turning public opinion against him and his Sky team. “Obviously, I am extremely disappointed with that”, he said at a press conference after the race.
— John Leicester in Mende, France.
The story Tour de France 2015: Chris Froome makes stand against rhino poaching first appeared on The Sydney Morning Herald.
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The 178-kilometer (111-mile) west-to-east route winds through plains and hills on the fringes of the Massif Central region, with a swing through the breathtaking Tarn gorges. While attacks rained down in the breakaway on the steep 3km climb just before the finish, Cummings bided his time.
