Thibaut Pinot emerged as the strongest of the main contenders to win the Tour de France after dominating his rivals for the second day in the 15th stage, a 185-kilometer mountain battle won by Briton Simon Yates Sunday.

The Frenchman, who claimed victory at top of the iconic Col du Tourmalet Saturday, left everyone gasping for air with a brutal attack 7 kilometers from the finish in the final ascent to the Prat d'Albis.

He crossed the line 33 seconds behind Yates, who prevailed from the day's breakaway for a second stage win as his fellow Briton, defending champion Geraint Thomas lost further ground.

Alaphilippe still leads Thomas by 1 minute 35 seconds, Dutchman Steven Kruijswijk by 1:47 and fourth-placed Pinot by 1:50 .

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