France’s Romain Bardet won stage 12 of the Tour de France on Thursday, while Italy’s Fabio Aru took the yellow jersey from Britain’s Chris Froome.
Bardet’s victory in the 214.5km stage sees him move up to third overall, with Aru finishing second to earn himself a vital time bonus.
Froome finished 20 seconds behind the Astana rider to take seventh spot.
‘I had a bad moment there at the end,’ said the defending champion. ‘No excuses, I just didn’t have the legs there in the final kick.
‘I can only say congrats to Bardet for winning the stage and Fabio Aru for taking the jersey. It’s certainly going to be a big fight now all the way to Paris.’
South Africa’s Louis Meintjes finished fifth and is 10th overall.
Stage 12 result:
1. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R) 5hrs 49mins 38secs
2. Rigoberto Uran (Col/Cannondale) +2sec
3. Fabio Aru (Ita/Astana) Same time
4. Mikel Landa (GB/Sky) +5secs
5. Louis Meintjes (SA/Team UAE Emirates) +7secs
6. Dan Martin (Ire/Quick-Step) +13secs
7. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) +22secs
8. George Bennett (NZ/LottoNL-Jumbo) +27secs
9. Simon Yates (GB/Orica) Same time
10. Mikel Nieve (Spa/Team Sky) +1min 28secs
General classification after stage 12:
1. Fabio Aru (Ita/Astana) 52hrs 51minutes 49secs
2. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) +6secs
3. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R) +25secs
4. Rigoberto Uran (Col/Cannondale) +35secs
5. Dan Martin (Ire/Quick-Step) +1min 41secs
6. Simon Yates (GB/Orica) +2min 13secs
7. Mikel Landa (Spa/Team Sky) +2min 55secs
8. Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar) +4min 01sec
9. George Bennett (NZ/LottoNL-Jumbo) +4min 04secs
10. Louis Meintjes (SA/Team UAE Emirates) +4min 51secs
