The Team Sky rider won the 15th stage, the longest of this year's race, with a scintillating attack on Mont Ventoux that carried him 29 seconds clear of his closest rival on the day, the Colombian Movistar rider, Nairo Quintana.

The win extended the Briton's lead in the overall standings to more than four minutes from the second-placed man, Bauke Mollema of the Netherlands; Spain's Alberto Contador lies third.

With some exceptionally tough Alpine stages in the final week's schedule – including an unprecedented double ascent of the mythic Alpe d'Huez – it is too early to say that Froome has pedalled his way into an unassailable position.

Nonetheless, the prospects of a second consecutive British victory in this, arguably the most prestigious endurance event in world sport, now look outstandingly good.

The Tour concludes in Paris next Sunday (July 21) with a possible sunset finish on the scenic Champs-Élysées.


Froome's second stage-win of the 2013 Tour was achieved in a poignant location for British cycling.

The Mont Ventoux ascent is where – 46 years and one day ago – British former world road race champion Tommy Simpson lost his life; a memorial high on the mountain marks his passing.

Froome made his move seven kilometres from the end of today's 242.5-km stage, quickly dropping Contador, widely perceived as his chief rival for overall victory, and setting off in pursuit of Quintana and Mikel Nieve, another Spanish rider, who had opened up a lead.

Victory was not assured until inside the final 1,500m, when the Colombian was unable to respond to yet another Froome attack.

Tomorrow is a rest day, after which the 28-year-old Briton will resume his quest to go one better than last year, when he finished second to teammate and compatriot Bradley Wiggins, with a strength-sapping 16th stage from Vaison-la-Romaine to Gap.

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