GAP, France — Monday’s Tour de France stage was more of an appetizer than a full-blown day in the Alps. But the race’s leader, Chris Froome, received an uncomfortable warning of the potential dangers the final days of the race pose to his lead.
The 16th stage was won in a solo breakaway by Rubén Plaza, a Spaniard riding for Lampre, the only Italian team at the Tour.
But its most harrowing moment came after Plaza crossed the finish line, sucking his thumb as part of his victory salute.
On the fast descent of the narrow Col de Manse into Gap, Geraint Thomas, a key member of Froome’s Team Sky, was bumped by Warren Barguil, a French rider, from behind.