Nelson rider George Bennett has finished seventh on the ninth stage of the Tour de France champion Chris Froome fought to retain his yellow jersey.
George Bennett Photo: Supplied
The defending champion Chris Froome still retains the tour leader's yellow jersey despite being attacked by second placed Fabio Aru just as he suffered a mechanical issue on the last climb.
Froome ended up third at the end of a 181km trek in the Jura mountains won by Colombian Rigoberto Uran, with Froome now having an 18 second lead over Aru.
Bennett is tenth overall nearly four minutes behind Froome.
Tour de France leader Chris Froome Photo: AFP
The defending champion Froome had his rivals to thank, however, as none of them took turns in front while he was changing his bike in the lung-busting ascent to the Mont du Chat.
The scene was reminiscent of the 2010 Tour when Alberto Contador attacked Andy Schleck on the ascent to the Port de Bales when his rival's chain snapped.
"I had a mechanical problem with my gears, I had to change bike," said three-times champion Froome.
"I want to thank the other riders, who did not attack," he added, saying he did not see Aru attacking past him as he raised his arm to ask for assistance.
"Richie (Porte) was quite instrumental in slowing that group down, saying this is not the time to attack the leader of the race, so thanks to Richie and I hope he makes a speedy recovery."
Geraint Thomas Photo: Photosport
Froome was already without team mate Geraint Thomas, who abandoned after crashing in the slippery descent of the Col de la Biche, one of three out-of-category ascents of the day.
In the final descent to Chambery, Australian Porte, regarded as Froome's main challenger ahead of the three-week event, went off the road into a wall of rocks.
"He was conscious, it's reassuring, he is being transferred to the hospital," race doctor Florence Pommery said.
Last year's runner-up Romain Bardet of France pedalled away in the final descent but was reined in by Froome, Uran, Barguil, Aru and his Astana team mate Jakob Fuglsang two km from the finish line.
"There will be other great battles to fight in the Pyrenees and the Alps," Bardet said after taking fourth place.
