Roche backs Froome to challenge

Irish cycling legend Stephen Roche predicts Alpine fireworks over the coming days as Bradley Wiggins’ Tour de France lead is set to come under attack — and anticipates the race leader’s Team Sky colleague and fellow Briton Chris Froome could be the major beneficiary.

Victory in the stage nine time-trial saw Wiggins take a commanding lead of one minute 53 seconds in the yellow jersey over defending champion Cadel Evans ahead of today’s resumption on the 194.5-kilometre 10th stage from Macon to Bellegard-sur-Valserine, the first Alpine stage.

Evans is 14 seconds ahead of Froome, with Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) 2mins 23secs adrift in fourth.