Thomas wins in yellow on Alpe d’Huez and distances Froome

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Geraint Thomas wins stage 12 tour de france 2018

Geraint Thomas became the first man to win up l’Alpe d’Huez with the yellow jersey on his shoulders on Thursday as he extended his Tour de France overall lead.

Thomas, who took the yellow jersey when he won Wednesday’s 11th stage, prevailed again in the 12th at top of the iconic 21-hair-pinned climb.

But the Welshman was heavily booed by the crowd at the podium ceremony while his Team Sky leader, Chris Froome, who finished fourth, was also jeered all the way up the famous ascent.

Thomas accelerated in the last stretch to beat Tom Dumoulin and Romain Bardet who were second and third, two and three seconds behind respectively. Froome was also three seconds off the pace as the boos came from the crowd.

The four-time champion was constantly jeered on the last stretch, a 13.8-km effort on an average gradient of 7.9 percent, with one spectator hitting him on the shoulder.

“Obviously it’s not nice (the boos) but everyone is entitled to their opinion, but we need to be safe,” said Thomas afterwards.

Overall, Thomas leads Froome by one minute 39 seconds and Dumoulin by 1:50.

Former champion Vincenzo Nibali crashed with about four kilometers left and ended seventh, 13 seconds off the pace.

“There were two police motorbikes and the road became narrow, there were no barriers and Froome attacked, traffic slowed down and I fell. My back hurts. I had trouble breathing and now I don’t feel well standing,” said the Italian.

Thomas, who did not respond to Froome’s attack, said on Wednesday the four-time champion remained the team leader, but he appeared to be the strongest rider at l’Alpe d’Huez.

“In my eyes, Froomey is still our leader,” said Thomas.

Tour de France 2018 – stage 12 results (Bourg-Saint-Maurice Les Arcs – Alpe d’Huez):

1Geraint Thomas (Team Sky)

5:18:37

2Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb)

+02”

3Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale)

+03”

4Chris Froome (Team Sky)

+04”

5Mikel Landa (Movistar)

+07”

6Primoz Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo)

+13”

7Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida)

,,

8Jakob Fuglsang (Astana)

+42”

9Nairo Quintana (Movistar)

+47”

10Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo)

+53”

11Egan Bernal (Team Sky)

+01’41”

12Daniel Martin (UAE Team Emirates)

+01’45”

13Bob Jungels (Quick-Step Floors)

+03’09”

14Alejandro Valverde (Movistar)

+04’29”

15Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin)

,,

16Pierre Latour (AG2R La Mondiale)

+04’35”

17Ion Izagirre (Bahrain-Merida)

+04’37”

18Guillaume Martin (Wanty – Groupe Gobert)

+04’40”

19Tanel Kangert (Astana)

+05’41”

20David Gaudu (Groupama – FDJ)

+06’52”

 

General classification after stage 12:

1Geraint Thomas (Team Sky)

49:24:43

2Chris Froome (Team Sky)

+01’39”

3Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb)

+01’50”

4Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida)

+02’37”

5Primoz Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo)

+02’46”

6Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale)

+03’07”

7Mikel Landa (Movistar)

+03’13”

8Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo)

+03’43”

9Nairo Quintana (Movistar)

+04’13”

10Daniel Martin (UAE Team Emirates)

+05’11”

11Jakob Fuglsang (Astana)

+05’45”

12Alejandro Valverde (Movistar)

+09’07”

13Bob Jungels (Quick-Step Floors)

+09’09”

14Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin)

+09’37”

15Mikel Nieve (Mitchelton – Scott)

+15’28”

16Pierre Latour (AG2R La Mondiale)

+16’31”

17Guillaume Martin (Wanty – Groupe Gobert)

+18’39”

18Tanel Kangert (Astana)

+20’41”

19Egan Bernal (Team Sky)

+21’12”

20Warren Barguil (Fortuneo – Samsic)

+23’55”

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