Omega Pharma-Quick Step’s Michal Kwiatkowski was able to maintain contact with the leading group in the white jersey until late in the 195km Stage 8 on Saturday, despite a peloton setting such a high tempo in the final 10km that only about 20 riders remained in contention.

However, a blistering pace set by Team Sky led by Richie Porte was enough for all but five riders to eventually drop off the back. Kwiatkowski lost contact on the Cat 1 climb Ax-3-Domaines (7.8km, 8.2%) with about 7.6km to go, and one-by-one other riders were dropped as well.

As showdown approached, Froome (Sky) attacked with less than 5km to go, dropping Quintana (Movistar) and going on to win solo by a considerable margin. Porte was 2nd, Valverde (Movistar) 3rd. Kwiatkowski finished 20th, +3'27" back from Froome.

“The first mountain stage was pretty hard,” Kwiatkowski said after losing the white jersey to Quintana. “I tried to stay with the best on the HC climb and I did it. But, after a crazy downhill, I almost crashed at the bottom of the last climb. I lost my concentration. On the first kilometre of the last climb I dropped from the first group. I tried to pass other riders on the climb. I did my best. Of course I'm a little disappointed because I lost the white jersey, but I think I improved a little bit on the climbs. So, I'm looking forward to the next stages and I hope to be good for us.”