Indurain Pedals Along in First as Tour de France Title Looms

PAU, France — Miguel Indurain has a third consecutive Tour de France victory almost within his grasp. All that lies between the Spanish cyclist and another title are two flat sections and an individual time trial.

Indurain came out of the Pyrenees on Thursday with his overall lead still formidable. He increased that lead during three days in the mountains, riding easily while others struggled.

Claudio Chiappucci won the 17th stage Thursday, a 118-mile run that included the Tourmalet, one of the Tour’s toughest climbs. He edged fellow Italian Massimo Ghirotto and Spain’s Jon Unzaga.

The main pack of leaders finished 1:24 behind Chiappucci, with Indurain in 24th place.

Indurain has an overall lead of 4 minutes 28 seconds over Alvaro Mejia of Colombia, 4:42 over Zenon Jaskula of Poland and 5:41 over Tony Rominger, whose attack in the Tourmalet was turned back.

“Today, in the Tourmalet, I preferred to maintain my tempo rather than respond to the attack of Rominger. But I wasn’t in danger,” Indurain said. “Also, I am finishing this Tour less fatigued than last year.”