Chris Froome vowed to keep fighting for every second after stretching his Tour de France lead on Wednesday’s 11th stage.
The 31-year-old Briton was part of a four-man breakaway in the last 13km that made it all the way to the line as he finished second behind Peter Sagan.
The peloton arrived six seconds later while Froome also gleaned another six seconds in time bonuses.
It was the second time in this Tour that the reigning champion had launched a surprise attack to gain a few vital seconds on his rivals.
He won the seventh stage with a daring descent to the finish that gave him 13 seconds plus another 10 in bonuses.
“That’s our mentality: to try whatever opportunities to get an advantage whenever possible,” said the Team Sky leader, a twice winner of the Tour de France.
Well I don't think either of us expected it to end like this today #TDF #TDF2016 #MaillotJaune #MaillotVert pic.twitter.com/LefFdBHMt2
— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) July 13, 2016
Froome’s main rival Nairo Quintana was caught out again and now sits fourth overall at 35sec.
But Froome insisted he wasn’t attacking in unusual places due to any fear that Quintana is a stronger climber — which is where Tour-winning differences are normally made.
“I’m certainly enjoying what I’m doing. I’m loving being in yellow again, it’s a dream scenario for me,” said Froome.
“This is bike racing at its best. For GC (general classification) guys taking the race on flat stages like this, I certainly feel like I’m enjoying it and I’m not forced into this because of pressure or nervousness.”
