Chris Froome emerged unscathed from a treacherous first Alpine stage of the Tour de France, retaining his lead while Alberto Contador lost a lot of ground and American Tejay van Garderen abandoned the race.
The British cyclist Chris Froome. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Van Garderen, who was third overall at the start of the 161-km stage, pulled out because of sickness, and the day's laurels went to the German Simon Geschke after a brave solo raid.
Spaniard Contador's hopes of achieving a rare Giro d'Italia/Tour double suffered another major setback when he lost touch with the group of top guns after crashing on a dangerous descent, losing over two minutes.
Froome maintained his three minutes 10 seconds lead over Colombia's Nairo Quintana, with another minute back to third-placed Alejandro Valverde of Spain.
