Froome all but wins his second Tour de France

Chris Froome is set to become the first Briton to win the Tour de France twice after surviving a thrilling attack by Nairo Quintana on Alpe d’Huez.

Team Sky’s Froome, 30, led Quintana by two minutes 38 seconds before the penultimate stage but the Colombian rode clear with 9km remaining.

However, the Briton responded to limit his losses to just 80 seconds as France’s Thibaut Pinot won the stage.

His 72-second lead will not be challenged on Sunday’s finale in Paris.

The short stage, which culminates in several laps around the centre of Paris, is expected to end in a bunch sprint on the Champs-Elysees and Froome has only to cross the finish line within 72 seconds of Quintana to be crowned champion.

“It’s hard to say if this was harder than 2013, but every day was flat out,” said Froome.

“Next year I’ll come back and renew the rivalry with Nairo. He’s a great prospect, has a bright future, a great talent who races correctly, making his race at the right moment.”

Quintana attacks

Quintana had been expected to attack on the iconic 13.9km ascent of Alpe d’Huez, which features 21 hairpin turns, and the diminutive Movistar rider did not disappoint.

“I gave it everything,” said the 25-year-old, who will win the white jersey as best young rider.

“I lost the Tour in the first week when my team struggled with crashes. I lost a minute-and-a-half and that’s what cost me the Tour.”

He made his move around 9km from the summit to set up an exciting finish to the decisive stage.

Froome did not initially respond, instead keeping pace with his team-mate Richie Porte to ride at a more even pace.

Quintana caught and passed Ryder Hesjedal, who finished third, on the ascent and crossed the finish line just 18 seconds behind Pinot to earn six bonus seconds.

However, Froome, who rode the final couple of kilometres on his own after Porte dropped away, powered over the line to ensure he would regain the title he first won in 2013.

He crossed the line a fraction behind Quintana’s Movistar team-mate Alejandro Valverde, who will finish third overall, five minutes 25 seconds behind Froome.

Pinot, who finished third overall in 2014, pulled clear for his first stage win of this year’s race.

BBC Sport