Chris Froome cracks as Fabio Aru blows Tour de France wide open drafter

Though the Team Sky rider had worn yellow since stage five of this year's race, he won't be come Friday, following a 214 kilometer slog from Pau to Peyragudes.

Frenchman Romain Bardet broke away in the last 300 meters to win the 12th stage on the eve of Bastille Day, but the drama affecting the general classification was happening behind him.

Colombia's Rigoberto Urán (Cannondale--Drapac) and Italy's Fabio Aru (Astana) both crossed the line just two seconds back, ensuring the latter seizes control of the race for the first time, and will embark from Saint-Girons atop the overall classification.



https://download-nammy-wams-paradise-south.webflow.io
https://download-crayon-twelve-a-m-ep.webflow.io
https://download-joyous-celebration-jo-604805.webflow.io


Aru now leads Froome by six seconds, with Bardet just 25 seconds behind.

Team Sky were looking strong and Froome had appeared in prime position to extend his 18-second lead, but he faded away on the final climb with gradients nearing 20%, coming in ninth, 22 seconds behind.

READ: Peter Sagan loses CAS appeal following Tour de France horror crash

READ: Tour de France under scrutiny after 70kph crash on 'crazy' stage

It is only the second time in 32-year-old's career that he has lost the yellow jersey mid-race, having briefly surrendered supremacy to Etixx-Quick-Step's Tony Martin between stages four and seven in 2015.

It is the first time in this year's Tour that the yellow jersey will be worn by a non-Team Sky rider, following the injured Geraint Thomas's stage one win.

With some tough stages still to come -- notably the 18th and it's brutal Col d'Izoard climax -- the 104th Tour de France has been blown wide open by Aru and Bardet.

It is the first time in this year's Tour that the yellow jersey will be worn by a non-Team Sky rider, following the injured Geraint Thomas's stage one win. READ: Tour de France under scrutiny after 70kph crash on 'crazy' stage With some tough stages still to come -- notably the 18th and it's brutal Col d'Izoard climax -- the 104th Tour de France has been blown wide open by Aru and Bardet. It is only the second time in 32-year-old's career that he has lost the yellow jersey mid-race, having briefly surrendered supremacy to Etixx-Quick-Step's Tony Martin between stages four and seven in 2015. READ: Tour de France under scrutiny after 70kph crash on 'crazy' stage READ: Peter Sagan loses CAS appeal following Tour de France horror crash Frenchman Romain Bardet broke away in the last 300 meters to win the 12th stage on the eve of Bastille Day, but the drama affecting the general classification was happening behind him. Though the Team Sky rider had worn yellow since stage five of this year's race, he won't be come Friday, following a 214 kilometer slog from Pau to Peyragudes. READ: Peter Sagan loses CAS appeal following Tour de France horror crash Team Sky were looking strong and Froome had appeared in prime position to extend his 18-second lead, but he faded away on the final climb with gradients nearing 20%, coming in ninth, 22 seconds behind. It is only the second time in 32-year-old's career that he has lost the yellow jersey mid-race, having briefly surrendered supremacy to Etixx-Quick-Step's Tony Martin between stages four and seven in 2015. Frenchman Romain Bardet broke away in the last 300 meters to win the 12th stage on the eve of Bastille Day, but the drama affecting the general classification was happening behind him. It is only the second time in 32-year-old's career that he has lost the yellow jersey mid-race, having briefly surrendered supremacy to Etixx-Quick-Step's Tony Martin between stages four and seven in 2015. READ: Tour de France under scrutiny after 70kph crash on 'crazy' stage With some tough stages still to come -- notably the 18th and it's brutal Col d'Izoard climax -- the 104th Tour de France has been blown wide open by Aru and Bardet. READ: Peter Sagan loses CAS appeal following Tour de France horror crash It is only the second time in 32-year-old's career that he has lost the yellow jersey mid-race, having briefly surrendered supremacy to Etixx-Quick-Step's Tony Martin between stages four and seven in 2015. It is the first time in this year's Tour that the yellow jersey will be worn by a non-Team Sky rider, following the injured Geraint Thomas's stage one win. Frenchman Romain Bardet broke away in the last 300 meters to win the 12th stage on the eve of Bastille Day, but the drama affecting the general classification was happening behind him. With some tough stages still to come -- notably the 18th and it's brutal Col d'Izoard climax -- the 104th Tour de France has been blown wide open by Aru and Bardet. It is the first time in this year's Tour that the yellow jersey will be worn by a non-Team Sky rider, following the injured Geraint Thomas's stage one win. READ: Tour de France under scrutiny after 70kph crash on 'crazy' stage Aru now leads Froome by six seconds, with Bardet just 25 seconds behind. With some tough stages still to come -- notably the 18th and it's brutal Col d'Izoard climax -- the 104th Tour de France has been blown wide open by Aru and Bardet.

#newsupdatenow