CHRIS FROOME put the wind up his rivals as he snatched vital seconds in his bid for a third Tour de France crown.
The Team Sky ace caught the other contenders napping for a second time in four stages with a sudden attack in the Mediterranean crosswinds.
Froome finished second to Peter Sagan in Montpellier, six seconds clear of the pack — but time bonuses give him a 28-second overall lead from fellow Brit Adam Yates. Froome, 31, said: “I can’t believe what happened out there.
“It was a really difficult day but I relied on my team-mates all day, they were always at the front and that allowed me to go with Sagan at the end.
“I’m just enjoying my racing, taking every opportunity I can.
“To be in yellow as a result is amazing.”
Sky duo Froome and Geraint Thomas were the only riders to respond when Sagan attacked with Tinkoff team-mate Maciej Bodnar seven miles out.
Monaco-based Froome — who seized the yellow jersey with his daredevil descent on stage eight — sprinted to the finish to eke out as much time as he could. Ireland’s Dan Martin is 31 seconds back in third with last year’s runner-up Nairo Quintana four seconds further behind.
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