The result leaves the Italian in 13th place on the general classification, with challenging mountain stages ahead in the Pyrenees and Alps that will no doubt separate the contenders from the pretenders in the coming weeks.
Astana’s run at the 28km course from Vannes to Plumelec started well enough, but by the finish line the team had dropped two riders of its nine riders, as wellas 35 seconds to the eventual stage victor BMC and 34 seconds to Team Sky, which finished second to keep its leader Chris Froome in the yellow jersey.
Nibali now has 2min 22sec to make up on race leader Froome, which is perhaps the one mountain he is most unlikely to conquer over the stages ahead.
Froome has been in sparkling form so far, and with the memory of his Criterium du Dauphine victory fresh in most minds, Nibali’s defence would appear to be doomed.
Froome flew past BMC’s Tejay Van Garderen in that Dauphine victory, racing up the final climb to rip the winner’s jersey off the American’s back in June.
Having taken the yellow jersey earlier at this Tour than he perhaps would have liked, Froome and his team would have to make some serious errors to allow the shirt to go anywhere near Nibali.
Nibali lost his first chunk of time at this race across a windy Stage 2 from Utrecht to Zelande. He finished 1min 28sec behind stage winner Andre Greipel and the lead group containing Froome.
The tension between the pair boiled over after a crash inside the last kilometre of Stage 6, in which a mistake by Tony Martin (Etixx-QuickStep) took out Nibali, who in turn almost toppled a passing Froome.
The Italian later took his misfortune out on the Briton, allegedly throwing a bottle at him before they settled their differences in the Astana team bus post stage.
Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service. Read more about Sport
Have a story or comment? Contact Us
