Ventoux Tips It's Cap To You, Chris 'King Of The Mountains' Froome

Le Tour De France may be lacking some of the stars from last year, Bradley Wiggins to name just one, however this hasn't made boring viewing. The Manx Missile, Mark Cavendish, has looked in inspired form taking four stage wins and Chris Froome, even without Wiggins by his side, looks ever more likely to become the second Brit in as many years to bring home the yellow jersey in this, Le Tour's 100th edition.

Yesterday's stage 15 was one of the most exciting legs in recent history and also the longest at 240km. What most cyclists hope for at the end of a long ride is a nice flat or even a down hill finish, but not this time. With 21km to go, 181 pro cyclists were faced with arguably the most daunting sight in southern France, Mont Ventoux. This infamous mountain has claimed any lives, including Britain's Tom Simpson in 1967, however on this occasion it was dominated by Froome who absolutely obliterated 179 other riders to retain the yellow jersey and obtain the King of the Mountains jersey on Bastille day.

Only one other rider was on par with Froome throughout the climb, Team Moviestar's little Colombian Nairo Quintana, who somehow managed to keep a pokerface for 20.5km and not even grimace until Froome left him 500 metres from the summit.

Quintana, only 23 years old, broke from the peloton with about 6km to go and caught every rider between himself and the leader at the time, Sylvain Chavanel. Soon Chavanel broke and fell down the field allowing Froome to break from lead out man Richie Porte, and catch the wheel of Quintana. The two struggled up the 7% incline for what seemed forever until the climb became 10% and Quintana cracked, handing the stage victory to Froome on a sweaty platter.


Nairo Quintana (Left) and Chris Froome (Yellow jersey) ascend Mont Ventoux.

This incredible win by Froome extended his time gap to his nearest rival, Bauke Mollema, to 4 minutes and 14 seconds with only six stages left, giving the impression that it's going to take something very special from this years elite to dismount Froome from the top step of the podium.