Tour de Romandie: Thomas punctures but Froome up to third

Image source, AP

Image caption, Welsh rider Geraint Thomas (second right) finished over four minutes behind the stage winner

Geraint Thomas has lost the leader's jersey in the Tour de Romandie after a puncture late on the second stage cost him over four minutes.

The 28-year-old punctured on the final climb of the stage into Saint-Imier.

Fellow Team Sky rider Chris Froome is now third in the overall standings after finishing in a reduced peloton.

Froome, who also punctured but recovered, is 10 seconds behind Michael Albasini who took Wednesday's 168.1km stage and with it the overall lead.

Tour de Romandie Stage 2 results

1. Michael Albasini (Switzerland / Orica) 4:21:43"

2. Jarlinson Pantano (Colombia / IAM Cycling) ST

3. Julian Alaphilippe (France / Etixx - Quick-Step)

4. Nathan Haas (Australia / Cannondale)

5. Rui Costa (Portugal / Lampre)

6. Damiano Caruso (Italy / BMC Racing)

7. Ilnur Zakarin (Russia / Katusha)

8. Ivan Santaromita (Italy / Orica)

9. Jan Bakelants (Belgium / AG2R)

10. Ramunas Navardauskas (Lithuania / Cannondale)

23. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky)

Overall classification after Stage 2

1. Michael Albasini (Switzerland / Orica) 4:42:52"

2. Ivan Santaromita (Italy / Orica) +10"

3. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky)

4. Simon Yates (Britain / Orica)

5. Ilnur Zakarin (Russia / Katusha) +15"

6. Pavel Kochetkov (Russia / Katusha)

7. Egor Silin (Russia / Katusha)

8. Yury Trofimov (Russia / Katusha)

9. Simon Spilak (Slovenia / Katusha)

10. Julian Alaphilippe (France / Etixx - Quick-Step) +20"