Cycling: The eleventh stage of the Tour de France became a show of force by Team Sky. Geraint Thomas attacked on the final climb, left all his competitors standing and even sprinted past the breakaway Mikel Nieve (Mitchelton-Scott) on the home stretch. Geraint Thomas not only celebrates the stage victory, but also the assumption of the yellow jersey. Behind them, Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) secured second place ahead of Chris Froome (Sky) with an early attack. The big loser of the day is Team Movistar, who risked a lot but also lost a lot.
Mountain jersey: duel between Julian Alaphilippe & Warren Barguil
Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors) had high hopes for today's stage win after yesterday's victory . The 26-year-old was once again part of the leading group on the short 108,5-kilometer stage from Albertville to La Rosière. Along with several other strong riders, he formed the lead group before the Montée de Bisanne. Wearing the polka dot jersey, he secured maximum points ahead of Warren Barguil (Fortuneo Samsic) and Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal). Earlier, well over 30 riders had broken away from the peloton to gain a lead going into the first climb. This allowed Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) to claim another 20 points in the points classification. As the peloton climbed the Col du Pré, not only did the huge breakaway group splinter, but there was also significant activity within the peloton itself. Sky withdrew from the lead-out and asked Movistar to take over the chase – and the Spanish team responded immediately.
Movistar provokes Sky: Alejandro Valverde attacks early
Movistar took over the pace-setting at the foot of the Col du Pré. However, this proved to be only a short-term compromise with Sky. With over 55 kilometers to go, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) suddenly surged past everyone. The Spaniard forced Sky back to work the pace. While he extended his own lead, the increased speed caused several prominent riders to drop from the peloton. After Rigoberto Uran (EF Education), Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), and Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo), Rafal Majka (Bora-hansgrohe) was also unable to keep up. Meanwhile, Marc Soler (Movistar) dropped back from the leading group to support his captain, Alejandro Valverde – a classic Realais move. By the summit, he already had a lead of over a minute on the peloton. Warren Barguil secured the King of the Mountains classification – as he would later do on the Cormet de Roselend . His Fortuneo-Samsic team had previously distanced their biggest rival , Julian Alaphilippe . Sky received support from Bahrain-Merida in the peloton.
Sensation! Valverde and Movistar break with the Sky regime. See you soon! 👏🏻 #TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/FFdQxBXoXW
— Ingmar Bos (@IngmarBoss) July 18, 2018
Geraint Thomas attacks...
On the descent from the Cormet de Roselend, it wasn't Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) who launched an attack, but Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb). He was followed by teammate Søren Kragh Andersen, who brought him up to Alejandro Valverde . However, Dumoulin received no help from Valverde. The Spaniard was exhausted and was soon caught by Sky and dropped back through the peloton. The high pace in the peloton also took its toll on Pierre Latour (AG2R La Mondiale), Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin), Jakob Fuglsang (Astana), and Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott). When the last two Sky helpers, Egan Bernal and Michal Kwiatkowski, dropped back from the lead, Geraint Thomas attacked.
... and Chris Froome follows
The entire group of favorites immediately exploded. Chris Froome then broke away together with Daniel Martin before dropping the Irishman as well. Thomas immediately launched another attack, once again leaving Dumoulin no chance. Thomas sprinted the final 500 meters to the finish, even overtaking Mikel Nieve (Mitchelton-Scott), who had proven to be the strongest breakaway rider and had looked like the certain winner. In the battle for second place, Froome conceded it to the bravely fighting Tom Dumoulin . As a result, Team Sky has taken a comfortable position in the general classification. Numerous GC contenders have been dropped, while they themselves now boast two riders who seem to be effortlessly superior to the competition. We can look forward to seeing how Movistar and the others respond tomorrow on the climb to Alpe d'Huez.
Geraint Thomas (Sky) has a coup double! Le Gallois s'impose à La Rosière et s'empare du maillot jaune #TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/BxmkKN0Mxa
— Eurosport.fr (@Eurosport_FR) July 18, 2018