Tour de France 2015: Chris Froome survives Pyrenees storm to retain yellow jersey lead

Chris Froome came through a storm on and off the road to maintain his lead in the Tour de France after a rain-drenched final stage in the Pyrenees.

The Team Sky rider weathered a series of attacks and counter-attacks as Spain's Joaquim Rodriquez won stage 12 at Plateau de Beille.

It was the Katusha rider's second victory on the Tour following his stage three win at the Mur de Huy in Belgium.

Rodriquez came home in just over five hours 40 minutes while a battle still raged among the general classification contenders further down the mountain.

Froome's rivals Alberto Contador, Nairo Quintana and even struggling reigning champ Vincenzo Nibali all launched attacks on the gruelling 10-mile final climb.

But with Richie Porte, then Geraint Thomas reacting immediately none of them could open up a decisive gap on the yellow jersey holder.

Froome felt strong enough to launch his own attack but was soon brought back before they all sprinted for the line trying to eke out a second.

But Froome will be relieved to have got through the final day in the Pyrenees knowing the next few days should be relatively safer before they hit the Alps.

The 2013 champ still leads by two minutes 52 seconds from American Tejay van Garderen with Nairo Quintano 17 seconds further back in third.

The riders had faced another day in sweltering conditions for much of the 121-mile stage form Lannemezan.

But around 25 miles out from the summit finish at Plateau de Beille they ran right into a wild Pyrenean storm of rain and hailstones.

And when bolts of lightning struck, organisers must have considered ending the stage prematurely for the safety of the riders and the thousands of drenched spectators lining the roads.

But on they ploughed with Rodriguez catching breakaway rider Michal Kwiatkowski, who is set to join Team Sky from Etixx Quick-Step next year, before taking the stage honours.

Froome was 10th home - six minutes 47 seconds behind - but knowing he was another step nearer being crowned champion in Paris on Sunday week.