By Julien Pretot
Defending champion Chris Froome retained the leader's yellow jersey on the Tour de France despite his bike being broken in a pile-up in a chaotic finale of the 12th stage.
The incident happened close to the finish and Froome, of Team Sky, began running up the slopes of the Mont Ventoux before grabbing a service bike which did not work.
The Briton was then given a spare Team Sky bike on which he completed the 178km stage, losing over a minute to his main rivals, only for the race jury to rule that he would be credited with the same time as the two riders he was with when the incident occurred.
BMC Racing rider Porte, who was leading Froome and Dutchman Bauke Mollema (Trek Segafredo), crashed into a TV motorbike that was held up by the crowd on the road.
Mollema and Froome also tumbled and the Briton's bike was broken in the incident.
The overall lead was first handed to Briton Adam Yates (Orica-Bike Exchange) before the standings were updated and Froome was handed the yellow jersey on the podium.
"Chris Froome and Richie Porte have been given the same time as Bauke Mollema due to the incident in the finale. Froome retains the yellow jersey," organisers said in a statement.
"I'm very happy with the commissaires' decision, I think it was the right thing to do, thanks to the jury and thanks to the organisers," Froome told reporters.
Yates added: "I'm happy with the decision, I would not want to take the jersey like that. I wanted to take it with my legs."
Yates now trails Froome by 47 seconds in second place.
Reuters
