Tour de France 2016: Chris Froome wins stage 18 to extend overall lead and close in on third title

The steepest climbs came in the first half of the stage on the Cote de Domancy, but it was after that point that Froome picked up 44 seconds

Chris Froome continued his dominance on Thursday (Getty)

Chris Froome has won the stage 18 time trial from Sallanches to Megeve to extend his overall lead in the Tour de France.

Adam Yates put in a fine ride and the 23-year-old Briton picked up a couple of seconds on Mollema, leaving him 24 seconds further back in third place.

However, Yates saw his advantage over fourth-placed Nairo Quintana cut to 21 seconds as the Colombian put his podium place under pressure.

Quintana had been expected to be Froome's biggest rival in this Tour but he now sits four minutes and 37 seconds off yellow.

Froome took the yellow jersey with a surprise downhill attack to win stage eight to Bagneres-de-Luchon. His second stage win of this Tour takes him to seven in his career.

The 31-year-old continues to close in on what would be a third Tour title following his successes in 2013 and 2015.

Dumoulin won the other time trial of this Tour, stage 13 to La Caverne du Pont d'Arc, and had been seen as the favourite again here but could not match Froome in the latter part of this course.

The steepest climbs came in the first half of the stage on the Cote de Domancy, but it was after that point that Froome picked up 44 seconds on the Dutchman.

"I really didn't expect to beat Tom today," Froome said. "I think pacing was key today. I really started off quite steady and really controlled that first part and then just gave it everything I had over the last part.

"Really, really happy with that."

PA.