It’s a **** race! Or would some prefer the quaint notion of just taking part?

Road bike racing is a right old collection of traditions and conventions. Very much like GC riders not attacking the yellow jersey going into Paris. It doesn’t make sense but there are just some things it’s not ‘honourable’ to do. For most true top riders there is only only thing coveted more than a TdF victory and that’s an honourable TdF victory.

Yup, But what Froome did wasn’t breaking any tradition or convention.
He wasn’t attacking a rider who’s chain had just fallen off, or someone that he’d wheel sucked four the last 4 hours, it was a plain old fight for the line against his nearest rival.
Quintana would have done exactly the same if he could have.

If Froome had got 10 seconds over Quintana this discussion wouldn’t be happening, it would make complete sense. CF didn’t know how much time he’d get, but he knew it was worth the effort to a) get some time, and b) show he still have something left in the tank.

He raced for the line, his rivals all attacked him and he needed to respond. If not it gives them the advantage.
19. FRA ROY Jérémy 28 FDJ 04h 27′ 08” + 03′ 25”
20. GBR FROOME Christopher 31 TEAM SKY 04h 27′ 58” + 04′ 15”
21. COL QUINTANA ROJAS Nairo Alexander 51 MOVISTAR TEAM 04h 27′ 59” + 04′ 16”
22. ESP VALVERDE BELMONTE Alejandro 59 MOVISTAR TEAM 04h 28′ 02” + 04′ 19”
23. ESP CONTADOR Alberto 41 TINKOFF-SAXO 04h 28′ 17” + 04′ 34”
24. ITA NIBALI Vincenzo 1 ASTANA PRO TEAM 04h 28′ 28” + 04′ 45”
25. USA VAN GARDEREN Tejay 61 BMC RACING TEAM 04h 28′ 38” + 04′ 55”

The attacks will come as we hit the alps, they need to fight them and take what they can over the days. They had their first bit of bad luck today with Porte getting a puncture before the last climb, if that happened to Froome then there is 30s gone.