SAINT-GERVAIS-LES-BAINS, France — If Chris Froome wins the Tour de France on Sunday, it won’t have been an easy ride to the Champs Elysees.

After a pile-up forced him to run up part of Mont Ventoux last week, the two-time champion escaped from another crash on Friday during a chaotic and spectacular penultimate Alpine stage held in stormy and wet weather.

Two days before the ceremonial ride to Paris, rain played havoc at the Tour, causing many crashes and reshuffling places. But Froome was lucky enough to escape with no serious injury, and even emerge with a bigger lead overall.

“A crash like that could have gone either way, and I’m grateful that nothing is injured,” Froome said. “Never a quiet day on the Tour.”