WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2018 19 Alaphilippe snatches stage 16 capitalised on a late crash by to take the stage

AFP | Bagneres-de-Luchon,

renchman Julian Al - aphilippe, of the Quick FStep team, soloed to vic- KNOW WHAT tory on a drama-filled 16th stage yesterday after capitalising on a late crash by Britain’s Adam Yates (Mitch- The average cyclist elton). will burn around Al - 4,000 and 5,000 aphilippe, claiming his second calories during each stage win of the 105th edition, stage of the Tour. finished nearly 20 seconds That’s 123,900 cal- ahead of a small group of chas- ories for the entire ers on the first of four days in the Pyrenees. race, the equivalent “I’m delighted,” said Al - of eating 252 McDon- aphilippe. “It was really hard ald’s double cheese- to get into the early breakaway burgers and for the rest of the day, I was suffering.” “I was going to wait for him Yellow jersey holder Geraint because it’s never great to crash,” Thomas (Sky) crossed the fin- added Alaphilippe, considered a ish line nearly nine minutes in faster finisher than Yates. arrears after yet another stage in “But I looked back and saw he which his race lead did not come was suffering, and looked a little under threat. scared so I continued.” But the Welshman was one Alaphilippe had plenty of time of several riders left requiring to soak up his second win of the treatment after tear gas got in his race. eyes and throat when national “It’s fantastic. I’m really hap- gendarmes sprayed tear gas in py,” added Alaphilippe, who also a bid to clear protesting farmers had some kind words for team- from the road, which they had France’s Julian Alaphilippe, wearing the best climber’s polka dot jersey, celebrates as he crosses the finish line mate . blocked with bales of hay around “I hope he’s okay after what 26km into the 218km ride. happened,” said Alaphilippe. “I felt a tingle in the eyes, and Thomas maintained his 1min secure his sixth green jersey for But determination, and good the fifth and last climb of the day, Stage 17 features the only re- in the back of my throat. I used 39sec lead on four-time cham- the points competition, the day luck combined to hand him his his front wheel skidding away maining summit finish on the some water to wash it out,” said pion and teammate Chris belonged to Alaphilippe. second victory days after his from under him as he negotiated race and, at 65km long, Thomas Thomas. Froome. The 26-year-old Frenchman stunning solo ride into Le Grand a left-hand bend. is expecting fireworks from the “But I was alright in the end.” Dutchman Tom Dumoulin has spent the past days chasing Bornand on stage 10. Just as Yates got back on his word go. Ahead of stage 17 on Wednes- (Sunweb) is still third at 1:50. points to add to his collection for Yates was on his own and in bike, Alaphilippe sped past, “It will be a tough day, a good day, described as the most de- But on a day that saw Slovaki- the ’ polka the lead when he crashed on the looked around at the English- two hours of climbing,” said cisive stage in the final week, an mathematically dot jersey. descent of the Col du Portillon, man and surged ahead. Thomas. Farmers’ protest, police Gutsy Gilbert survives tear gas interrupt Tour spectacular crash on Tour AFP | Bagnères-de-Luchon, France

ormer world champion FPhilippe Gilbert got back on his bike to continue stage 16 on the Tour de France despite a spectacular crash that sent him flying over a wall. Gilbert, who rides for Quick Step, was 57.2 km from the fin- ish and in the lead of the race when disaster struck. Negotiating a left-hand bend at speed, Gilbert failed to brake in time, skidded and was sent flying head first over a parapet and into a ditch. The former and Liege-Bastogne-Liege win- Philippe Gilbert after the crash ner was helped back up on to the road and given first aid be- Although shaken, the 36-year- on hand throughout the race fore resuming the stage in the old looked to have suffered only attended to Gilbert’s injuries company of a group of front- bruises and scratches. as he rode alongside the doc- Police officers carry a protester off the road as the peloton passes runners. Medical services which are tor’s car.

Reuters | Bagneres-De-Luchon, The race continued after the France brief hiatus. Yellow jersey holder Geraint protest by local farmers A cyclist’s job is Thomas and world champion Abrought stage 16 of the dangerous as it Peter Sagan were among the I felt a tingle Tour de France to a halt yes- riders rinsing their eyes after in the eyes, terday as bales of hay were is. We shouldn’t the incident, which stopped the thrown on to the road on the be adding extra stage for 15 minutes. and in the route from Carcassonne to Ba- dangers to their job. Bahrain Merida’s Sonny Col- back of my gneres-de-Luchon and police They take enough brelli and Heinrich Haussler throat. I tear gas blew into the faces of risks already. I were also affected by gas. used some some of the riders. insist. We have It is not the first time that water to The gas was used to disperse to let them pass protesters have interrupted a wash it out the protesters but it ended up prominent race, the most mem- blowing in the direction of the unhindered orable incident happening in peloton, which led to the race TOUR DE FRANCE CHIEF CHRISTIAN 1984 -Nice, when French being stopped at the 187 km- PRUDHOMME great punched to-go point. one of the demonstrators. Bahrain Merida’s Sonny Colbrelli receive medical assistance after being affected by gas