Romain Bardet helped salvage some host pride with victory on the 18th stage of the Tour de France on Thursday.
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The 24-year-old took off on his own with just under 40 kilometres remaining of the 186.5km stage from Gap to Saint Jean de Maurienne to take victory – his first on the Tour – 33 seconds ahead of compatriot Pierre Rolland.
It was difficult to get in the breakaway. I knew that with a late attack in the Glandon I could then take time on the others thanks to my descending skills
Romain Bardet
It was the home nation’s second stage win in 2015 following that of Bardet’s AG2R teammate Alexis Vuillermoz on the eighth stage.
And it was a welcome fillip for a nation struggling in the heat and challenges on this year’s race.
Twelve months ago, Bardet finished sixth in the Tour but was the third best Frenchman as Jean-Christophe Peraud and Thibaut Pinot both claimed podium finishes behind winner Vincenzo Nibali.
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A year on and Bardet’s victory took him past Warren Barguil into 10th place to become the leading home rider in the race.
Team Sky rider Chris Froome of Britain keeps the race leader's yellow jersey after a steady stage 18. Photo: Reuters
