Chris Froome leaves rest of the riders trailing in Tour de France

Briton shows why he is favourite for the Tour as he storms up Mont Ventoux to stretch overall lead.

Stage winner Chris Froome.

Britain's Chris Froome took another step toward yellow-jersey triumph on the Tour de France with a win on the Mont Ventoux stage.

The Team Sky leader finished just ahead of Colombian Nairo Quintana after attacking a small group of rivals 7.2km from the summit finish of the 20.8km climb to the "Giant of Provence".

Spain's former two-time winner Alberto Contador was unable to respond when Froome spun away from a small group of riders, having seen many of them drop off the pace following a strong relay from Australian teammate Richie Porte.

Having started the 242.5km 15th stage 2 minutes, 48 seconds behind Froome, Contador finished in sixth at 1:40 to drop to 4:25 behind the leader and 11 seconds adrift of second-place Dutchman Bauke Mollema.

It is Froome's fourth career stage win in the race and second of the 100th staging of the French event.

"It's a mythic climb. It's the biggest win of my career," said Froome, who added that he needed oxygen at the finish to help him breathe.

"It was my aim today to take as much time as possible for the [general classification]."

A nine-man breakaway had escaped earlier in the day and as none were a threat to the yellow jersey, they were allowed to build a lead of seven minutes on the chasing bunch.

The last of that group, Frenchman Sylvain Chavanel, was caught halfway up the 20.8km trek to the Ventoux summit, and after some speculative attacks, Froome's leading group began to thin in dramatic fashion.

Former Tour champion Andy Schleck struggled to keep pace and rode into a ditch while 2011 champion Cadel Evans of Australia was next to feel the effects of the fast pace.

Mikel Nieve attacked with 14km remaining, prompting Quintana to dance on his pedals and pull away from the peloton with 12.8km remaining.

After Sky's Pete Kennaugh's pace-setting job was over, Porte began his relay with 9.5km to race and the Australian's efforts did the most damage.

Dutch climbing specialist Robert Gesink and Spain's Alejandro Valverde were next to feel the pace.

Soon, Mollema and Belkin teammate Laurens ten Dam were left behind as Froome followed Porte's wheel with Contador keeping a tight rein.

When Froome's attack came, it was spectacular as he pulled away. He caught Quintana with 6.7km to race and after testing the Colombian again rode away for good in the final two kilometres.

"I didn't think I'd win the stage," Froome said. "I thought Quintana would. But at the end, he lost his legs a bit and so I just raced on ahead."

Follow us