Tour De France 2015 Stage 21

Chris Froome became the first Briton to win the Tour de France twice when he safely reached the finish line in Paris at the end of the three-week race.

The 2013 champion finished among the main peloton on the final stage, behind a bunch sprint won by Andre Greipel.



Mark Cavendish, seeking a fifth win on the Champs-Elysees, finished sixth after the 109.5km race from Sevres.



Froome beat Colombia's Nairo Quintana to the yellow jersey by 72 seconds with Spain's Alejandro Valverde third.



The final stage ended with 10 laps of a 7km lap around Paris but the times for the general classification were taken the first time they crossed the finish line because heavy rain in the French capital had made the roads treacherous.


That meant that 30-year-old Froome could not lose time if he was held up by a crash or mechanical problem but he still had to complete the stage.



Inside the last 10km he had to stop to remove a paper bag that had got caught up in his gears, while moments later he rode over a discarded water bottle. If either had caused him to crash and not cross the finish line his title would have been cruelly taken away.



However, he stayed upright and rode over the line arm-in-arm with his Team Sky team-mates several seconds behind the main bunch.

How Froome won

Froome had led the general classification since stage seven.



In fact, he had never dropped out of the top two positions since the third stage and up until Thursday held a lead of three minutes 10 seconds over the field.



In the end it turned out to be the narrowest winning margin since Carlos Sastre beat Cadel Evans by 58 seconds in 2008.

Team Sky finished the race with eight of the nine riders they started with - only Pete Kennaugh abandoned

But it will be seen as vindication for Froome, whose composed and gritty riding was at risk of being overshadowed by persistent questions over the legitimacy of his performances and three isolated incidents of abuse from spectators.



Froome's Tour victory was predominantly established by an excellent first week, followed by a phenomenal burst on the climb to La Pierre-Saint-Martin on stage 10 that put him almost three minutes clear.

Questions and abuse

It was that climb which caused some to question whether Froome's performances were being enhanced by doping, with a French TV channel using images of Lance Armstrong to draw parallels between the shamed drugs cheat and the Team Sky rider.



A French physiologist also presented data that he described as "abnormal".



But Team Sky produced their own numbers to counter that claim and Froome has repeatedly said that he is clean.

Team Sky released Froome's riding data to the media earlier in the week

That has not stopped Froome being subjected to abuse from spectators, as he claimed he had urine thrown at him on stage 14 and appeared to have twice been spat at in the last two stages before Paris.

Team-mate Richie Porte has said he was punched during stage 10.



There is also a sense that Kenya-born Froome has never fully secured the support of the British public, particularly in comparison to Sir Bradley Wiggins, who was the first Briton to win the Tour in 2012.



It remains to be seen whether his victory this year, which came among a field of Grand Tour winners including Quintana, Vincenzo Nibali, Alberto Contador and Alejandro Valverde, will persuade doubters of his ability.



Stage 21 result:

1. Andre Greipel (Ger/Lotto) 2hrs 49mins 41secs

2. Bryan Coquard (Fra/Europcar) Same time

3. Alexander Kristoff (Nor/Katusha)

4. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor/Team MTN Qhubeka)

5. Arnaud Demare (Fra/FDJ)

6. Mark Cavendish (GB/Etixx - Quick-Step)

7. Peter Sagan (Svk/Tinkoff - Saxo)

8. John Degenkolb (Ger/Giant)

9. Michael Matthews (Aus/Orica)

10. Ramunas Navardauskas (Lit/Cannondale)



General classification after stage 21:

1. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) 84hrs 46mins 14secs

2. Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar) +1min 12secs

3. Alejandro Valverde (Spa/Movistar) +5mins 25secs

4. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita/Astana) +8mins 36secs

5. Alberto Contador (Spa/Tinkoff-Saxo) +9mins 48secs

Froome and Quintana have had huge battles in the Pyrenees and Alps over the past three weeks

Tour De France 2015 Stage 20

Chris Froome is set to become the first Briton to win the Tour de France twice after surviving a thrilling attack by Nairo Quintana on Alpe d'Huez.

Team Sky's Froome, 30, led Quintana by two minutes 38 seconds before the penultimate stage but the Colombian rode clear with 9km remaining.



However, the Briton responded to limit his losses to just 80 seconds as France's Thibaut Pinot won the stage.



His 72-second lead will not be challenged on Sunday's finale in Paris.



The short 21st stage, which culminates in several laps around the centre of Paris, is expected to end in a bunch sprint on the Champs-Elysees and Froome has only to cross the finish line within 72 seconds of Quintana to be crowned champion.



Quintana once again will finish runner-up to Froome, as he did two years ago, although this is set to be the smallest winning margin since Carlos Sastre beat Cadel Evans by 58 seconds in 2008.



"It's hard to say if this was harder than 2013, but every day was flat out," said Froome.



"Next year I'll come back and renew the rivalry with Nairo. He's a great prospect, has a bright future, a great talent who races correctly, making his race at the right moment."

Froome's rival attacks

Nairo Quintana will finish runner-up at the Tour for a second time

Quintana had been expected to attack on the iconic 13.9km ascent of Alpe d'Huez, which features 21 hairpin turns, and the diminutive Movistar rider did not disappoint.



"I gave it everything," said the 25-year-old, who will win the white jersey as best young rider.

"I lost the Tour in the first week when my team struggled with crashes. I lost a minute-and-a-half and that's what cost me the Tour."



He made his move around 9km from the summit to set up an exciting finish to the decisive stage.



Froome did not initially respond, instead keeping pace with his team-mates Richie Porte and Wouter Poels to ride at a more even pace.



Quintana caught and passed Ryder Hesjedal, who finished third, on the ascent and crossed the finish line just 18 seconds behind Pinot to earn six bonus seconds.



However, Froome, who rode the final couple of kilometres on his own after Porte and Poels dropped away, powered over the line to ensure he would regain the title he first won in 2013.



He finished a fraction behind Quintana's Movistar team-mate Alejandro Valverde, who will take third overall, five minutes 25 seconds behind Froome.


Pinot, who finished third overall in 2014, pulled clear for his first stage win of this year's race.

Froome spat at again

Chris Froome battled through the boisterous crowds on Alpe d'Huez

Froome appeared to be spat at for the second time in as many days, after a similar incident on Friday.
 

This time it occurred on the narrowing roads towards the summit of Alpe d'Huez and, as opposed to Friday, Froome seemed to be aware he was spat at as he immediately turned around to look at the crowd.



Froome also claims he had urine thrown over him on stage 14 and team-mate Porte says he was punched during stage 10.

Tour De France 2015 Stage 19

Chris Froome will carry a lead of two minutes 38 seconds into the final competitive Tour de France stage after tracking Nairo Quintana's late attack.

Colombian Quintana went clear of the Briton on stage 19's last climb to cut the gap by 32 seconds, but has it all to do to snatch yellow on Saturday.



Defending champion Vincenzo Nibali rode clear to win the stage but the Italian is too far back to challenge overall.



Froome's Team Sky team-mate Geraint Thomas finished well behind the pack.


The Welshman began the 138km route from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to La Toussuire fourth overall but slid down to 15th as he came home 22 minutes adrift with the effects of his previous hard work and a crash on stage 16 catching up with him.



A relatively short, but gruelling, final day in the mountains remains on Saturday - culminating in the fabled climb to Alpe d'Huez - before Sunday's procession to the sprint around the Champs Elysees.

Can Froome be caught?

Tomorrow's stage offers opportunities for Quintana to test Froome's climbing abilities once again with a return up Col de la Croix de Fer before the final ascent to Alpe d'Huez.


Froome's Team Sky team-mates drifted away during stage 19; Richie Porte, like Thomas, dropped off as an early injection of pace proved too much for their tiring legs.


Dutchman Wout Poels did a fine solo job escorting Froome through the majority of the stage, and although he drifted on the final climb to La Toussuire, he will be required to do something similar on Saturday.


"It was a massive day. From the word go the racing was on," Froome told ITV4.


"All in all it was a good day to be able to tick it off with one day of racing left. Quintana put in a big attack and I opted to limit my losses and keep a bit of energy.


"Tomorrow will be full on. I'm looking forward to Alp d'Huez. It would be a dream to win there but I have to keep up with a little Colombian first."

Analysis: Rob Hayles on BBC Radio 5 live sport extra
"I don't think the race is over and done yet. Quintana had to wait and made the best of what he could.
"Is it enough? Chris Froome is certainly going to have to be isolated very early and will have to have a bad day.
"Up to now he hasn't really had that. It will be very difficult for Nairo Quintana, although he is the only rider I feel that can take the yellow jersey from Froome."

Nibali moves as Froome stops

The Italian broke off the front of the main pack on the Col de la Croix de Fer - 59km from home.


Froome had come to a momentary standstill on the side of the road to remove a stone caught in his brake calliper, as Nibali climbed out of the saddle to ride clear.


It is against the race's traditions to deliberately exploit a rival's mechanical misfortunes and Nibali said that he had not seen Froome slowing to a stop behind him.


Television replays showed Nibali twice glancing over his shoulder before accelerating away.


"He did see what he was doing," said Froome. "You don't do that to the race leader, it is not sportsmanlike."

Defending champion Vincenzo Nibali has struggled in this year's Tour

General classification after stage 19

1. Chris Froome (GB) Team Sky 78hrs 37mins 34secs


2. Nairo Quintana (Colombia) Movistar +2mins 38secs


3. Alejandro Valverde (Spain) Movistar +5mins 25secs


4. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) Astana +6mins 44secs


5. Alberto Contador (Spain) Tinkoff - Saxo +7mins 56secs


6. Robert Gesink (Netherlands) LottoNL +8mins 55secs


7. Mathias Frank (Switzerland) IAM Cycling +12mins 39secs


8. Bauke Mollema (Netherlands) Trek +13mins 22secs


9. Romain Bardet (France) AG2R +14mins 8secs


10. Pierre Rolland (France) Europacar +17mins 27secs

Stage 19 contained four graded climbs

Irish rider Dan Martin greets fans before the start of the stage

Nairo Quintana (right) began the day three minutes and 10 seconds behind leader Chris Froome (left)

Tour De France 2015 Stage 18

Romain Bardet delivered a second home win in this year's Tour de France as leader Chris Froome remained unscathed by a second day of climbs in the Alps.

AG2R rider Bardet beat a breakaway group to the top of the 1,924m Col du Glandon and, with 34km remaining of stage 18, eked out a decisive lead.



Pierre Rolland finished 33 seconds behind to complete a French one-two.



Britain's Froome stays three minutes 10 seconds ahead of Colombia's Nairo Quintana with three stages remaining.



As happened during stage 17, Froome and Team Sky withstood several attacks, with Alberto Contador attempting to gain some time on the Briton up the penultimate climb of the day - the hors category Col du Glandon.



But with the Spanish rider six minutes 40 seconds off the pace, there was little panic among Froome's disciplined team. The Team Sky leader looks confident of repeating his 2013 triumph.



Alejandro Valverde remains third with Team Sky's Geraint Thomas fourth.



"It was a perfect stage, ideal really," Thomas told ITV4 afterwards. "Again the team was really strong. We had good numbers and didn't panic when guys were attacking. Contador is six minutes down, so he has more to worry about than us.


"The last climb was tough with all hairpins but we only have two more days to go."

Stage 18 result

1. Romain Bardet (France) AG2R 5hrs 3mins 40secs

2. Pierre Rolland (France) Europcar +33secs

3. Winner Anacona (Colombia) Movistar +59secs

4. Bob Jungels (Luxembourg) Trek same time

5. Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark) Astana same time

6. Serge Pauwels (Belgium) Team MTN +1min 1secs

7. Cyril Gautier (France) Europcar +1min 50secs

8. Damiano Caruso (Italy) BMC Racing same time

9. Andrew Talansky (US) Cannondale +1min 55secs

10. Warren Barguil (France) Giant +3mins 2secs

11. Robert Gesink (Netherlands) LottoNL

12. Chris Froome (GB) Team Sky same time

General classification after stage 18

1. Chris Froome (GB) Team Sky 74hrs 13mins 31secs

2. Nairo Quintana (Colombia) Movistar +3mins 10secs

3. Alejandro Valverde (Spain) Movistar +4mins 9secs

4. Geraint Thomas (GB) Team Sky +6mins 34secs

5. Alberto Contador (Spain) Tinkoff - Saxo +6mins 40secs

6. Robert Gesink (Netherlands) LottoNL +7mins 39secs

7. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) Astana +8mins 4secs

8. Mathias Frank (Switzerland) IAM Cycling +8mins 47secs

9. Bauke Mollema (Netherlands) Trek +12mins 6secs

10. Romain Bardet (France) AG2R +12mins 52secs

Tour De France 2015 Stages 16+17

Stage 17

Team Sky's Chris Froome remains as Tour de France leader after holding off several attacks by second-placed Nairo Quintana as Germany's Simon Geschke won the first stage in the French Alps.

Team Giant's Geschke broke free with 50km left of the 161km stage.


Earlier, American Tejay van Garderen, third in the general classification, was forced to retire through illness.


Froome leads Colombian Quintana by three minutes 10 seconds with Britain's Geraint Thomas now fourth overall.


Team Sky rider Thomas improved his position after Van Garderen's withdrawal and a late mechanical problem for Spaniard Alberto Contador, who started the day fifth and slipped to six minutes 40 seconds off the leaders' pace.


After the end of stage 17, Spain's Alejandro Valverde is now third, while Thomas is now six minutes 34 seconds behind Froome.


Geschke's stage victory was the fifth by a German rider in this year's Tour.


"I didn't feel super but I managed to hang in there," Thomas told ITV4. "For me it's decent and for Froomey it's even better. At one point we thought about going for the stage but thought 'hold on'. The team is strong and we're communicating really well.


"When you look at the GC, Vincenzo Nibali is not a major threat. but when it comes to the final climb [Chris] just has to watch Nairo or Valverde."

Stage 17 result

1. Simon Geschke (Germany) Giant 4hrs 12 mins 17secs


2. Andrew Talansky (US) Cannondale +32 secs


3. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia) Etixx - Quick-Step +1min 1secs


4. Thibaut Pinot (France) FDJ +1min 36secs


5. Mathias Frank (Switzerland) IAM Cycling +1min 40secs


6. Steven Kruijswijk (Netherlands) LottoNL +2mins 27secs


7. Nicolas Roche (Ireland) Team Sky +3mins 2secs


8. Jonathan Castroviejo (Spain) Movistar +3mins 4secs


9. Serge Pauwels (Belgium) Team MTN +3mins 5secs


10. Adam Yates (GB) Orica +3mins 21secs

General classification after stage 17

1. Chris Froome (GB) Team Sky 69hrs 6mins 49secs


2. Nairo Quintana (Colombia) Movistar +3mins 10secs


3. Alejandro Valverde (Spain) Movistar +4mins 9secs


4. Geraint Thomas (GB) Team Sky +6mins 34secs


5. Alberto Contador (Spain) Tinkoff - Saxo +6mins 40secs


6. Robert Gesink (Netherlands) LottoNL +7mins 39secs


7. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) Astana +8mins 4secs


8. Mathias Frank (Switzerland) IAM Cycling +8mins 47secs


9. Bauke Mollema (Netherlands) Trek +11mins 47secs


10. Warren Barguil (France) Giant +13mins 8secs



Stage 16

Britain's Geraint Thomas suffered a spectacular crash on the 16th stage of the Tour de France as he collided with Warren Barguil on the final descent.

The Team Sky rider hit his head on a telegraph pole and fell off the side of the road but was soon back on his bike.

Spain's Ruben Plaza held off green jersey leader Peter Sagan to win the stage in Gap as Britain's Chris Froome retained his overall lead.

Sagan finished second for the fifth time in this year's Tour.

After Tuesday's rest day, the Tour continues on Wednesday with a 161km stage starting in Digne-les-Bains.

Hairy times for Thomas

There had been relatively few alarms during the 201km stage from Bourg-de-Peage to Gap until Thomas's dramatic crash.

Thomas was in a dwindling group of riders making their way down the descent from the category two Col de Manse when French rider Barguil got his line wrong on a corner and ran into the Welshman.

Thomas (right) complained after the stage that he had lost his glasses during the crash

Barguil managed to stay on the road but Thomas was propelled towards some spectators standing on the outside of the bend.

The Welshman struck a telegraph pole heavily and was thrown over the edge of the road. After initial uncertainty over what had happened to him, it soon emerged that he had been able to rejoin the race and he eventually finished less than 40 seconds behind the remnants of the yellow jersey group.

Thomas, who retained sixth place in the general classification, said: "Everyone knows it's a dodgy descent, I just got taken out - 100% it was a mistake.

"I feel all right for now - I guess the doctor will ask me my name and date of birth soon.

"A nice Frenchman pulled me out - but I lost my glasses as well. They don't even make them any more."

Barguil argued that Tejay van Garderen had touched him with his shoulder going into the bend. Van Garderen said: "Warren was trying to come over the top of me. I was trying to keep my position and stay safe."

Team Sky had gone into the day with all nine of their riders but lost workhorse Peter Kennaugh earlier in the stage when he abandoned.

"Pete has been suffering from a respiratory illness for the last two days," said Team Sky doctor Richard Usher.

"He had been recovering and felt better ahead of the start, but the combination of the heat today and the fast start in the peloton made it extremely difficult."

Froome maintains his lead

It was another hot, fast stage but there were few alarms for Froome - unlike team-mate Thomas

It was a very sedate stage for the general classification contenders for most of the day but it exploded into life in the final half hour as they climbed up the Col de Manse before the fast descent into Gap.

Defending champion Vincenzo Nibali had already launched an attack and pulled clear of the yellow jersey group before Alberto Contador and Alejandro Valverde also attacked Froome.

Froome lost his able lieutenant when Thomas crashed but he still had team-mate Wouter Poels with him and was able to reach the finish without losing any time to any of his major rivals except Nibali, who is seven minutes 49 seconds behind.

Nairo Quintana remains second, three minutes 10 seconds behind Froome, with American Tejay van Garderen in third.

A day to remember for Ruben

It was the first victory at the Tour for 35-year-old Plaza after he stayed clear of Sagan

After a flurry of attacks early in the stage, a group of 23 riders eventually pulled clear and built a substantial lead over the peloton that at one point was more than 20 minutes.

Green jersey holder Sagan was in that group and seemed determined to claim his first stage win at the Tour since 2013 as he repeatedly chased down attacks off the front of the breakaway as they neared the finish in Gap.

Sagan is an excellent descender and obviously fancied his chances if he could reach the top of the category two Col de Manse close to the finish with the breakaway all together.

The Tinkoff-Saxo rider led the chase to reel back an attempt to pull clear by Adam Hansen and Marco Heller but Lampre-Merida rider Plaza got clear up the slopes of the day's final climb and held on during the descent to finish 30 seconds clear of the unfortunate Sagan.

"It's the most important win of my 15 years as a professional," said Plaza.

It was not all bad for Sagan, though, as he won the day's intermediate sprint and picked up more green jersey points for finishing second and now has an 89-point lead over Andre Greipel.

Into the Alps

The second and final rest day of the Tour takes place on Tuesday before the race moves into the Alps with four potentially decisive stages culminating in a climb up Alpe d'Huez on Saturday.

After that all that remains will be the largely processional final stage into Paris, where the sprinters will get one more final shot at glory.

When action resumes on Wednesday the riders will go the 161km from Digne-les-Bains to Pra-Loup.

That takes us over the category one Col d'Allos as well as two category two climbs (including a summit finish at Pra-Loup) and two category three climbs.

"All the yellow jersey contenders will try to go as hard as they can on the final climb and into the finish," reckons Geraint Thomas.

Stage 16 result

1. Ruben Plaza (Spa) Lampre 4hrs 30mins 10secs

2. Peter Sagan (Slo) Tinkoff-Saxo +30 secs

3. Jarlinson Pantano (Col) IAM Cycling) +36secs

4. Simon Geschke (Ger) Giant +40secs

5. Bob Jungels (Lux) Trek same time

6. Christophe Riblon (Fra) AG2R same time

7. Daniel Teklehaimanot (Eri) Team MTN +53secs

8. Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Lotto +1min

9. Luis Angel Mate (Spa) Cofidis +1min 22secs

10. Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Europcar same time

General classification after stage 16

1. Chris Froome (GB) Team Sky 64hrs 47mins 16secs

2. Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar +3mins 10secs

3. Tejay van Garderen (US) BMC Racing +3mins 32secs

4. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar +4mins 2secs

5. Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo +4mins 23secs

6. Geraint Thomas (GB) Team Sky +5mins 32secs

7. Robert Gesink (Ned) Lotto +6mins 23secs

8. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana +7mins 49secs

9. Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek +8mins 53secs

10. Warren Barguil (Fra) Giant +11mins 3secs

The Open Final Round

Final leaderboard
-15 Z Johnson (US) (Won after four-hole play-off), M Leishman (Aus), L Oosthuizen (SA); -14 J Spieth (US), J Day (Aus); -11 D Willett (Eng), J Rose (Eng), S Garcia (Spa), J Niebrugge (US) (a); -10 B Koepka (US), A Scott (Aus)
Selected others: -9 L Donald (Eng), M Kaymer (Ger), A Chesters (Eng) (a); -7 P Mickelson (US) P Dunne (Ire) (a); -5 P Lawrie (Sco); -4 D Johnson (US). American Zach Johnson claimed his second major title with victory in a three-man play-off on a thrilling final day in the 144th Open Championship. The 2007 Masters winner finished a shot ahead of South African Louis Oosthuizen and three ahead of Australian Marc Leishman over four extra holes. Earlier, the three ended on 15 under to lead a competitive field at St Andrews. Jordan Spieth's hopes of a Grand Slam were ended as he finished on 14 under along with Australia's Jason Day. Joint halfway leader Danny Willett and fellow Englishman Justin Rose both carded two-under 70s, as did Spaniard Sergio Garcia, to finish joint sixth on 11 under. American Jordan Niebrugge also hit a 70 to finish 11 under and claim the Silver Medal for leading amateur ahead of Ireland's Paul Dunne, the joint overnight leader, who shot a six-over 78 to drop to joint 30th on six under. Australian Adam Scott was in contention but a poor back nine gave him a one-under 71 and a share of 10th on 10 under. Ireland's Padraig Harrington, who claimed back-to-back Open titles in 2007 and 2008, started well with three birdies in his first five holes but a double-bogey on six checked his progress and he ended up carding a three-over 75 to finish joint 20th on seven under. How the play-off was decided Johnson struck just 15 putts over the first 12 holes of his final round on Monday to record seven birdies and his skill on the green again came to the fore in the play-off. The 39-year-old holed challenging putts on the first and second to claim a birdie and a par and go one shot clear of Oosthuizen and two ahead of Leishman. Leishman, who had followed his stunning third-round 64 with a six-under 66 on Monday to head the leaderboard after missing the cut by a shot, fell out of contention with two pars. This left 2010 Open winner Oosthuizen, whose birdie on the last gave him a 69 and a shot at the Claret Jug, to challenge Johnson but after a par on the third extra hole he pushed his putt on the last just wide to give the American the win. Spieth Slam hopes dashed Media player help Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue. Masters and US Open winner Spieth started well in pursuit of a 2015 Grand Slam, birdieing three of the first seven, but a wayward tee shot and then a hugely over-hit putt on the par-three eighth ultimately led to a double bogey that looked to have cost him dear. But such is the ability and cool temperament of the 21-year-old, he hit back with successive birdies on the ninth and 10th before sinking a 30-foot putt to join the clubhouse leaders on 15 under. However, a bogey on the road hole 17th left him needing a birdie on the last - and when his chip rolled back off the green his hopes were left hanging on a putt from just off the green that proved too much for the world number two. His three-under-par 69 was one shot shy of the play-off. Jordan Spieth missed out on a third successive major title The leading Brits A run of four successive birdies from 11 to 14, helped Sheffield-born Willett to 11 under and joint sixth place, eclipsing his previous best Open finish - the tied 15th he managed at Muirfield in 2013. US Open champion Rose famously finished fourth as an amateur at Royal Birkdale in 1998 but his own 11-under overall score gives him his best finish in 12 Opens as a professional. Fellow Englishman Luke Donald (68) and Anthony Wall (70) both ended on nine under for a share of 12th, but it was a bad day for Scottish pair Paul Lawrie and Marc Warren, who carded 73 and 74 respectively to finish five under and tied for 40th. Open's impact on the world rankings Johnson's second major victory earns him a climb of 13 places up the Official World Golf Rankings from 25th to 12th. Leishman's share of second place earns him an even bigger leap from 61st to 27th, with Oosthuizen up four places from 17th to 13th. Spieth remains in second, his tie for fourth taking him closer to the world number one, the injured Rory McIlroy. The only Englishman in the top 10 is still Rose, who climbs back up three places to fifth. The nearly men Spaniard Garcia remains without a major title after claiming a 20th top-10 finish in one of golf's top four tournaments, courtesy of a round of 70 that began well but tailed away, with bogeys at 12, 13 and 17, to an 11-under finish. It was another emotional finale for Jason Day, who was visibly upset after his par on the 18th left him one shot short of the play-off. His only consolation is an impressive ninth top-10 finish in his 19th major. America's halfway leader Dustin Johnson continued his slide from the majestic to the mediocre, suffering a hangover from the three bogeys that ended his efforts on Sunday by dropping another three shots on the front nine to tumble further down the leaderboard. A second successive three-over 75 left the US Open runner-up a disappointing four under overall and to reflect on another missed opportunity. Amateur hour Irishman Dunne, 22, was calmness personified on Sunday with a superb six-under 66 to take a share of the overnight lead but looked far less assured during Monday's final round, starting with a bogey as his professional rivals racked up birdies. He hit three wayward tee shots on the par-four second before finally finding his first shot, which had come to rest on a green on an adjacent course. It was in bounds and playable but a second bogey followed. Birdies at the third and fifth steadied him but a back nine comprising four bogeys and a double bogey saw him plummet to six under and fourth in the race for the Silver Medal. That honour went to American Niebrugge, whose final-round 70 saw him finish two shots ahead of compatriot Oliver Sneiderjans (67) and England's Ashley Chesters, who followed Sunday's 67 with a three-under 69. "I would rank it the top accomplishment I've had so far: the Silver Medal in a major championship, especially at St Andrews, is definitely a dream come true," said Niebrugge, 21. Early birdies As in Sunday's third round, the course was there for the taking on Monday morning courtesy of calm, dry weather. American Brendon Todd paved the way for what was possible in such conditions, going out at 09:40 BST to shoot a six-under 66 and establish an early nine-under clubhouse lead, matched soon after by England's Luke Donald and Germany's two-time major winner Martin Kaymer, who both carded 68. Phil Mickelson was on course to better both but hammered his tee shot at the 17th way right and on to one of the balconies of the Old Course Hotel as part of a triple-bogey that ultimately led to a three-under 69 and the end of his prospects at seven under overall.

The Open Round 3

Third-round leaderboard
-12 P Dunne (Ire) (a), L Oosthuizen (Rsa), J Day (Aus); -11 J Spieth (US); -10 P Harrington (Ire); -9 M Leishman (Aus), J Niebrugge (US) (a), S Garcia (Spa), J Rose (Eng), R Goosen (Rsa), R Streb (US), A Scott (Aus), Z Johnson (US), D Willett (Eng)
Selected others: -8 E Pepperell (Eng), C Schwartzel (Rsa), S Bowditch (Aus); -7 D Johnson (US), M Warren (Sco), R Fowler (US); -6 P Lawrie (Sco).

Irish amateur Paul Dunne is one of three players leading The Open going into what promises to be a dramatic final round on Monday at St Andrews.

Dunne carded a six-under 66 to move to 12 under, an overall score matched by Australian Jason Day and South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen, who both scored 67.

Gram Slam-chasing Jordan Spieth is a shot further back after a superb 66.

Padraig Harrington went one shot better to leave him on 10 under, a shot ahead of a group of nine players all on nine under, which includes Spaniard Sergio Garcia, England's Justin Rose and Australian Adam Scott.

It was a bad day for the top three at the halfway stage, with overnight leader Dustin Johnson faring worst as three successive bogeys in the last three holes gave him a three-over 75 to drop him to seven under and into a share of 18th.

Danny Willett's three birdies and three bogeys meant the Englishman failed to improve on his starting score of nine under, while Scotland's Paul Lawrie double bogeyed the 17th in a two-over 74 to leave him six under.

The Open will finish on a Monday for only the second time in its 155-year history because of adverse weather on Friday and Saturday.

For the third round on Sunday the Old Course was almost defenceless, with barely a breath of wind, blue skies and warm sunshine on Scotland's east coast.

Marc Leishman grabbed the early clubhouse lead after an eight-under-par 64 left him nine under but the Australian was soon gobbled up by the late starters.

Irish legends, old and new

Dunne, from Greystones, County Wicklow, is aiming to become the first Irish winner of the Silver Medal for lowest amateur since world number one Rory McIlroy in 2007.

Dunne's three-round total of 204 broke the previous record for the lowest score by an amateur over the first 54 holes of an Open, set by Iain Pyman at Royal St George's in 1993, by six shots.


However, Dunne still has competition for the Silver Medal - American Jordan Niebrugge is only three shots back after a 67.

"I'm not really going to think about winning or where I'm going to finish until the last few holes," said Dunne.

"I don't see why [an amateur could not win a major]. I'm well capable of shooting the score that I need to win if everyone else doesn't play their best."

Harrington, winner in 2007 and 2008, is currently ranked 102 in the world and has missed 11 cuts this season. But the 43-year-old says his previous experience of contending on the final day of The Open might give him an advantage.

"I'll certainly be telling myself that I've done it twice before," said Harrington, who was also full of praise for Dunne.

"There's not too many people who have been leading going into the third round of The Open as an amateur - it's phenomenal. If I don't win, I hope he does."

'Free-rolling' Spieth

Spieth, a year younger than Dunne, is bidding to become the first man since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win the Masters, US Open and Open in the same year.

"I recognise what's at stake," said Spieth. "But 'free-rolling' is the phrase I'd use [to describe his attitude].

"I'm going into the final round with plenty of confidence and comfort, which frees me up a little bit to take extra chances."

In Faldo's footsteps?

Sir Nick Faldo, who was playing in his final Open this year, was the last Englishman to win The Open, in 1992. But former US Open champion Rose believes he has the round in him to break the 23-year hoodoo.

"My caddie said to me on 16, 'it's going to take three solid rounds and a low one - and we haven't had a low one yet'," said world number eight Rose, 34.

"It's probably going to take a 63 [to win it']. But I'm playing well and I'm kind of invisible, which I like."

Rose's compatriot Willett remains in the hunt despite a disappointing 72.

Scottish challenge over?

Paul Lawrie dropped 23 places to joint 26th on the leaderboard

Fellow Scots Paul Lawrie, winner in 1999, and Marc Warren were in the penultimate group but neither man was able to find his form of Saturday.

Lawrie double-bogeyed the 17th on his way to a 74 and finished on six under, while Warren carded a 72 to remain seven under.

On his Twitter feed, Lawrie, who is bidding to become the first Scottish winner at St Andrews since James Braid in 1910, simply stated: "Sulking."

All set for a magnificent Monday?

Those who wrote this year's Open off as a dud after two days of adverse weather might be feeling foolish on Monday evening, with a grandstand finish likely and so many great storylines possible.

World number 10 Garcia is still seeking his first major title after many years of near-misses, including blowing a three-shot lead in the final round at Carnoustie in 2007.

Former Masters champion Scott, the world number 11, at least has a major title to his name but he, too, will have redemption on his mind.

At Royal Lytham in 2012, Scott led by four shots with four holes to play before falling apart down the stretch and handing the Claret Jug to Ernie Els.

There is expected to be a dry start to Monday, followed by persistent rain in the afternoon. The wind is also forecast to strengthen as the day progresses. But with entrance prices set at £10, it will be the hottest ticket in town.

@TheOpen: "We're not suggesting you miss work tomorrow, but just in case you're feeling under the weather..."

Tour De France 2015 Stage 15

Andre Greipel sprinted to his third stage win of this year's Tour de France in Valence as Britain's Chris Froome comfortably kept his overall lead.

The German rider held off countryman John Degenkolb and Norwegian Alexander Kristoff on the line in a bunch sprint.



Briton Mark Cavendish was not involved in the sprint on Stage 15 as he was dropped on the first climb of the day.



It was a quiet day for Froome who still leads Colombian Nairo Quintana by three minutes 10 seconds with a week to go.



A nine-man breakaway was caught with 40km to go, and while Italian Matteo Trentin and Canadian Ryder Hesjedal attempted a further break, the peloton swallowed them up 10km further down the road.



Czech Zdenek Stybar - winner of stage six - broke away with three kilometres to go but ran out of steam and was caught inside the final kilometre as Greipel sprinted to victory.

All calm for Chris Froome

Shortly after Saturday's stage finished in Mende, Froome revealed that a fan had thrown a cup of urine at him and called him a doper. It came a day after Team Sky team-mate Richie Porte said he was punched while on the road.

It was a relatively sedate day for race leader Froome on Sunday

An eventful Saturday also saw Froome extend his lead and Colombian Nairo Quintana leapfrog Tejay van Garderen to take second place in the general classification.



There was almost nothing of note on Sunday as far as Froome and the battle for the yellow jersey was concerned. The main contenders remained tucked safely away in the main group all day and, with a bunch sprint at the finish, there were no attacks towards the end by Froome's rivals.



"It was a good day out there, there was a great atmosphere on the road and no unfortunate incidents today," said Froome.



"We have got five real racing stages left and we are into the tail-end of the race now. There are some tired bodies out there on the road but we are in an extremely fortunate position in that we have got nine riders left who are still fit and healthy."

Another good day for Greipel

German Greipel was understudy to Cavendish at HTC-Columbia. When it was suggested to Cavendish that Greipel would ride the 2010 Tour with him, Cavendish said: "There's no chance he's coming to a bike race that I'm in. Me on bad form is still better than him."

Greipel was too fast for Degenkolb, Kristoff and Sagan in the bunch sprint

It has been a different story this year.



Greipel - known as the Gorilla - defeated a host of rivals including Cavendish to win stage two and beat his former HTC-Columbia team-mate to claim another victory on stage five.



The pair hardly went head-to-head on Sunday as Cavendish - who is reportedly unwell - had been left behind on the climb out of Mende at the start of the day and rolled home in a group of 23 riders more than 14 minutes behind the winner.


And after the ninth Tour stage victory of his career, Greipel said: "The team supported me from kilometre zero, they kept me out of the wind and in the front group.



"At the end we made it perfectly to keep in a good position for the sprint and I went full gas and kept it to the line."

Problems mount for Cavendish

BBC Sport's Matt Slater in France: "First, the good news, from a British perspective anyway: Sunday's stage was a much happier one for Chris Froome and Team Sky than the urine-soaked slog of Saturday.



"The race leader and his team-mates reported no new outrages, and they have been heartened by messages of support from rival riders and team managers.



"The news was less good, however, for Cavendish, who has been struggling with stomach problems and was dropped on the day's first climb.



"This meant he missed out on the fourth of five clear-cut chances for the sprinters and now trails his German rival Andre Greipel 3-1 in this race. Out of contract at the end of the season, and desperate to reclaim his status as cycling's fastest man, Cavendish will not lack for motivation to get to the fifth and final sprinters' stage in Paris."

Stage 16 - Bourg-de-Peage to Gap (201km)
Geraint Thomas's preview to stage 16: "This descent into Gap for the stage finish is very dodgy indeed. Riding at the 2003 Tour, Lance Armstrong had to go off the road and ride across a field to avoid Joseba Beloki, who had fallen off ahead of him. And the last time the Tour rode it, in 2013, Froome and Contador had to go off the road too."

Stage 15 result

1. Andre Greipel (Ger) Lotto) 3hrs 56mins 35secs

2. John Degenkolb (Ger) Giant same time

3. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha

4. Peter Sagan (Slo) Tinkoff-Saxo)

5. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Team MTN

6. Ramunas Navardauskas (Lit) Cannondale

7. Christophe Laporte (Fra) Cofidis

8. Michael Matthews (Aus) Orica

9. Davide Cimolai (Ita) Lampre

10. Florian Vachon (Fra) Bretagne

General classification after stage 15

1. Chris Froome (GB) Team Sky 59hrs 58mins 54secs

2. Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar) +3mins 10secs

3. Tejay van Garderen (US) BMC Racing +3mins 32secs

4. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar +4mins 2secs

5. Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo +4mins 23secs

6. Geraint Thomas (GB) Team Sky +4mins 54secs

7. Robert Gesink (Ned) Lotto +6mins 23secs

8. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana +8mins 17secs

9. Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto +8mins 23secs

10. Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek +8mins 53secs