NICHOLAS ROCHE SAW his chances of a stage win fade away on the final climb at the Tour de France on Saturday, as France’s Lilian Calmejane capitalised to take victory.
Ireland’s Roche was well-positioned as the eight-man breakaway started their ascent up the category 1 Montée de la Combe de Laisia les Molunes.
But nobody could keep pace with Calmejane, who attacked with 17km to go and remarkably managed to grind out his maiden Tour victory despite suffering leg cramps inside the final 5km.
Robert Gesink finished the 187.5km race to Station des Rousses in second, 37 seconds back, with Guillaume Martin a further 13 seconds back in third, just ahead of Roche.
It’s as you were in the race for the yellow jersey where Chris Froome still holds a 12-second lead over his Sky team-mate Geraint Thomas.
Ireland’s Dan Martin remains fourth, 25 seconds behind Froome, after finishing today’s stage in 13th.
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