<p>Britain's Chris Froome again left rival Alberto Contador in his wake despite cracking on Thursday's 18th stage of the Tour de France that was won by Frenchman Christophe Riblon. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Froome, in a group of three chasing the leading riders, was clearly in trouble in the final five kilometres as he climbed l'Alpe d'Huez for the second time on the 172.5-km stage. <br /><br />He sent team-mate Richie Porte back to the team car to fetch some food and drink and the Australian nursed Froome to the line. <br /><br />Luckily for Froome, his main rival, Contador, had already paid the price for earlier attacks on the mountainous stage and the Spaniard finished almost a minute behind.</p>
<p>Britain's Chris Froome again left rival Alberto Contador in his wake despite cracking on Thursday's 18th stage of the Tour de France that was won by Frenchman Christophe Riblon. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Froome, in a group of three chasing the leading riders, was clearly in trouble in the final five kilometres as he climbed l'Alpe d'Huez for the second time on the 172.5-km stage. <br /><br />He sent team-mate Richie Porte back to the team car to fetch some food and drink and the Australian nursed Froome to the line. <br /><br />Luckily for Froome, his main rival, Contador, had already paid the price for earlier attacks on the mountainous stage and the Spaniard finished almost a minute behind.</p>