LA PIERRE-SAINT-MARTIN, France — As always, the arrival of the Tour de France in the mountains was expected to sort out the potential winners. But on the particularly and relentlessly steep climb to the ski resort here, Britain’s Chris Froome may have narrowed that group just to himself.
With a television helicopter floating off to his left side, Froome came around the final switchback turn to the finish at this ski resort resolutely and comfortably alone. Another minute or so passed before Froome’s Sky teammate Richie Porte and Nairo Quintana, the Colombian climber, reached the same bend.