Yellow Jersey

British rider Chris Froome showed why he remains the overwhelming Tour de France favorite by winning Sunday's grueling 15th stage up to Mont Ventoux to extend his lead over main rival Alberto Contador.

Left alone and with his teammates far behind, Chris Froome held off repeated attacks to retain the Tour de France lead Sunday as the three-week race left the Pyrenees mountains. Dan Martin of Ireland, a 26-year-old Garmin-Sharp rider, won Stage 9 following a two-man sprint against Denmark's Jakob Fuglsang.

Tour de France favorite Chris Froome overpowered his main rivals on the first tough mountain climb of the race Saturday and won the eighth stage to take the leader's yellow jersey.