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Rui Costa wins Tour stage; Froome safely in front overall

LE GRAND-BORNAND, France, July 19 (UPI) -- Rui Costa Friday claimed his second stage win of the week but Chris Froome maintained his overall advantage at the 100th Tour de France.

Costa, who won Tuesday's stage with a similar impressive showing, rode a strong race Friday, leading throughout the 127.1-mile route from Bourg-d'Oisans to Le Grand-Bornand. He kept that lead despite a course that included two early uncategorized climbs and two Category 1 climbs in the final third of the race.

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He finished in 5 hours, 59 minutes, 1 second, 48 seconds ahead of Andreas Kloden with Jan Bakelants in third nearly another minute back.

Froome was in a group that finished 8 minutes, 40 seconds behind Costa. Also given that time was Alberto Contador, Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas, Roman Kreuziger and Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver -- the riders nearest Froome in the General Classification.

As a result, Froome kept his 5:11 edge over Contador and is 5:32 up on Quintana. Kreuziger is 5:44 back and Rodriguez Oliver trails Froome by 5:58.

There are two stages left in the 100th Tour de France. There is a 77.7-mile route Saturday from Annecy to Annecy-Semnoz that features a Category 1 climb about midway and an uncategorized climb right at the end.

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The Tour concludes Sunday with an 83-mile run from Versailles into Paris.

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