Ligue 1

The former Olympic champion pulls the break along towards the start of the final climb. He is one of the favourites to win what would only be the second Tour stage win of his career.

In the peloton behind, Pinarello Q36.5’s Xabier Azparren sets the tempo ahead of Remco Evenepoel’s Red Bull train. Pogacar, in yellow, only has two UAE team-mate with him: Grossschartner and the white jersey of Del Toro.

The Bernal chase group appears to have thrown in the towel.

The American is clearly wary of the two polka dot jersey rivals, Carapaz and Paret-Peintre, as he’s put in a big dig ahead of the climb, testing the legs and putting his fellow escapees under a bit of pressure. It’s between one of these six riders because the Bernal chase group is now three minutes behind.

The green jersey is now riding alongside the yellow and white jerseys of Pogacar and Del Toro as the reduced peloton approach the summit of the penultimate climb 6’30” down on the six leaders.

The Frenchman keeps up his 100% record and pockets another two points in the polka dot jersey classification. That puts him to within 5pts of Tadej Pogacar, so the jersey will be his outright provided he finishes first, second or third today.

But to what end? He’ll struggle when it all kicks off again. The leaders are approaching the summit with over two minutes on the Bernal chase group, 4’50” on the Simmons group and 7’12” on the peloton.