Quintana bags a win for starving Movistar. Alaphillipe keeps France’s hopes alive with demon descending skills. Bernal slips ahead of Thomas to make it a Fiesta for Columbia.
With a devastating attack on the slopes of the Galibier, Nairo Quintana singlehandedly salvaged what had been a disastrous tour for Movistar. The Columbian made easy work of the climb, attacking from a small group of breakaway riders 7.5 kilometres from the 2642m summit, before descending under gathering rain clouds to the finish in Valloire.
A.S.O. Pauline BALLET
Such was the power and hunger of Quintana it would be another 1’35” before Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) arrived at the line followed by Alexey Lutsenko (Astana Pro Team) at 2’28”, the pair leaving it far too late to catch up.
Back in the yellow jersey group Egan Bernal was putting his own Ineos teammate Geraint Thomas under pressure in an attempt to do the same to race leader Julian Alaphillipe (Deceuninck – Quick Step). It looked like it was going to work.
A.S.O. Pauline BALLET
Stage 18 Video Summary (courtesy of ASO)
Stage 18 Summary (Copyright ASO)
Copyright: A.S.O. Pauline BALLET
Stage 18 Results