Chris Froome works with Bardet, but is surprised to see Aru dropped in the Tour de France
Tour de France leader Chris Froome says that he agreed to work with GC rival Romain Bardet to distance other riders, including Fabio Aru, in the Alps
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Chris Froome (Team Sky) imagined that he would end the day in the Serre-Chevalier Alpine Ski resort with three rather than two rivals breathing down his neck as he fights for a fourth Tour de France title.
Italian Fabio Aru (Astana), however, has slipped behind in the race's general classification. Instead of the top four separated by 29 seconds after stage 17 over the Galibier, three are within 27 seconds. Froome, as always, remains in charge.
"The big surprise today was Fabio Aru, who lost a bit of time," Froome said. "I expected him to go on the attack, but yeah it is always the third week of a Grand Tour that tests everyone and here there is no hiding if you are having a bad day in the third week."
>>> Bardet critical of Urán for taking bonus seconds after lack of work on Tour de France stage 17
Froome sat in his yellow jersey with the press, digesting the 183-kilometre stage. It traversed several cols, including the Galibier at 2,642 metres.
"I think the altitude affected everyone. It was over 2,500 metres of climbing today and it was a very hard day of climbing. My legs felt a lot better today than they did a week ago in the Pyrenees."
Last week at the Peyragudes airstrip in the Pyrenees, Froome's chances of winning a fourth Tour title appeared to be slipping away. Now, in the Alps, the odds are tipping in the favour of the 32-year-old Kenya-born Brit.
Froome followed the attacks from Frenchman Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) and kept him and Colombian Rigoberto Urán (Cannondale-Drapac) under control. Their group distanced Aru by the top of the Galibier and worked in unison to drill their lead deeper.
Primoz Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo) won the stage with a solo move. Urán took second place and the six-second bonus, Froome finished third with the four-second bonus.
"I just needed to do enough today to stay up front. I didn't need to do anything crazy given I have a lead on the on the GC guys and given tomorrow will be a big summit finish to the Izoard," Froome added.
"I'd heard about the situation of the race, [Bardet with 10 kilometres remaining] was telling me that Aru had been distanced and it was a good opportunity for us to collaborate and work together, which I had no problems with."
>>> Tour de France 2017: Latest news, reports and race info
Instead of a four-horse race, Froome heads a three-horse race with both Urán and Bardet locked at 27 seconds behind.
"I wouldn't quite say that,” he said, “even Alberto Contador's attack today put us under a lot of pressure and the team had to respond."
Froome faces the final of three summit finishes in this Tour tomorrow, the Col d'Izoard.
"Tomorrow will be all about the legs and who has the legs after a really tough stage today. It's depends on a lot of things, what the other riders do and how the legs are," Froome continued.
"This is not a massive margin compared to other years, but a margin I have nonetheless. I'm pretty happy with it. If I went into the time trial with the same margin, 27 seconds, I would be pretty confident."
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
Netflix working on Mark Cavendish documentary
Film about the Manxman's life is already in production according to a report
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Power vs aerodynamics: what is the best balance and how can I achieve it?
Watts and aerodynamics are two cornerstones of our cycling performance - but favoring only one will see you going slower than a more balanced approach. Here’s our guide to better optimising your speed
By Andy Turner • Published
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour team
Former management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I remember the crowds more than anything': Tom Pidcock recalls his Alpe d'Huez Tour de France stage win
Our male rider of the year, Tom Pidcock, talks us through the highs and lows of his 2022 campaign
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Leo Hayter, Cycling Weekly's rising star of 2022, talks through his season in the spotlight
We caught up with the winner of the "Baby Giro" to hear all about the win in Italy and his dream move to Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers release 'visibly fast' 2023 jersey
Navy is replaced with red as British team changes its look
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Chris Froome highlights dangers of long Covid after battle with virus
Four-time Tour de France champion warns of cardiovascular impact and says his VO2 max took a hit after illness
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘It’s a good thing and shows progression of the sport’ - Ben Swift hails changes at British Cycling academy
Ineos Grenadier says putting academy riders in with development teams will encourage development of many skills
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I know I can do it so I need to make that next level': Ben Turner signs Ineos Grenadiers contract extension
The Classics and another Grand Tour are on the agenda for Doncaster's Big Ben
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published