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A tight hairpin slows everyone down as they hit the bottom of the Cote de Boufflers - the second and final climb is 1.3km long with an average gradient of 7.9%.

It's all about keeping Richie Porte safe and covering moves for Geraint Thomas. The pace is relentless but there is single team controlling the peloton. German legend Jens Voigt takes a turn at the front. Peter Sagan is still there but keeping his powder dry. 7.5km to go.

Race leader Vincenzo Nibali is right at the front of the peloton - he is a terrific descender and he may fancy having a dig on the final ascent. Suddenly Sky move to the front and it's Geraint Thomas who is leading the way as they hit the 9km to go mark. He has Richie Porte in his wheel.

Back up a the front of the peloton and Tinkoff-Saxo are on pace-setting duties. BMC have dropped several riders back to help Van Garderen but he is some 50 seconds back - he was two minutes 11 seconds down at the start of today's race.

Team Sky have representation in this leading group. And Cannondale are still handily placed as the riders zip downhill on their way to the final climb, 11km remaining.

Rob Hayles
Former Great Britain cyclist on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"Van Garderen has been given a bike by his team-mate but he looks like a monkey on a stick - he's not happy."

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Yates is first over the line at the summit and he picks up a solitary point in the King of the Mountains classification. One or two of the sprinters are dropping out. Demare looks like he's gone and Greipel is also struggling.

And there's a crash in the middle of the peloton. BMC Racing's leader Tejay van Garderen is among the fallers but he's soon back up and pedalling. He could end up losing time here though.

Britain's Simon Yates is leading the peloton up the Cote de Maron. The first-year professional is decent on the hills and he has dragged Voeckler back.

If you've been reading these live texts over the years, you'll know that Tommy V is among my favourites. The gurning Frenchman is always great entertainment, but he's not pulling out to much of an advantage as Orica GreenEdge move to the front of the peloton. I can't see Simon Gerrans, maybe they are riding for Albasini as Gerrans suggested they would if he wasn't feeling fit enough.

The first to go is Thomas Voeckler.

Bernie Eisel, who was at the front of the peloton a few minutes ago, is out the back of the peloton. Marcel Kittel is also going backwards. At the front, Elmiger and Huzarski acknowledge each other's efforts and the attacks start.

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We are racing towards today's first climb - the Cote de Maron, which is just 3.2km in length with an average gradient of 5% is a category four - there is a tight left-hander in the middle of the village of Maron before they embark on the climb.

Image source, Getty Images

Our two leaders, Martin Elmiger of IAM Cycling and Bartosz Huzarski of NetApp Endura are being closed down second by second and their time out front is just about up - are they going to be caught before this first climb?

Jean Marc Marino of the Cannondale team has dropped out the back of the peloton. He has the energy to smile at the camera and make a cut-throat gesture to indicate that he is done for the day.

Rob Hayles
Former Great Britain cyclist on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"This is a long stage and fatigue will be starting to set in and to have these two climbs coming in at the end of today's stage, a lot of riders will not be looking forward to them."

For the first time today Team Sky move up to the front of the peloton. Do they have anybody who could kick off the first climb today? Bernie Eisel is at the front, putting on the hurt. The leading duo are just 25 seconds clear.

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Rob Hatch and Rob Hayles are discussing the chances of those who could be involved in today's finish. Hatch says that Nacer Bouhanni, the FDJ sprinter who was left out of their squad in favour of French champion Arnaud Demare, is at the finish line. Demare has not gone particularly well so far.

Hayles deadpans: "No pressure on Demare, whatsoever. Honest."

Andrew Harvey:, external Those saying Cannondale aren't an accomplished team clearly missed the TdF last year, watch them destroy the end of this stage.

Tony Hunt:, external Peter Sagan reminds me of the likes of Thor Hushovd. One of the great individuals in cycling. Thoughts. #bbccycling, external

The leaders are just going past the fountain with the yellow water in Toul. A beautiful cathedral in the middle of town but the riders have no time for sightseeing - Cannondale have reasserted their authority on the front of the peloton.

There are four leading trains in the peloton. Cannondale down the right of the road. Astana and Movistar down the middle and Tinkoff-Saxo down the left. BMC Racing and Team Sky are just in behind.

With just 36km remaining the pace is going up and the riders at the back of the peloton are starting to struggle.

There are handshakes among Edet, Pichot, Delaplace and Busche before they return to the anonymity of the peloton. Cofidis rider Edet has a weak smile and a wave for the camera.

Elmiger of IAM Cycling and Huzarski of NetApp Endura have put in an extra spurt and their advantage is back out to 80 seconds.

Rob Hayles
Former Great Britain cyclist on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"Cannondale tend to get Sagan into a good position with a few kilometres to go and then he piggy-backs around to get himself a good run-in to the finish."