Joaquim Rodriguez is stomping the pedals like he is riding though syrup. He is still clear but, with three and a half kilometres left, the chasing group is coming with Vincenzo Nibali a minutes and 15 seconds off.

Michal Kwiatkowski, 28 seconds off Rodriguez, is the only other rider clear after Giovanni Visconti was swallowed up.

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

"This could be a great day for Kwiatkowski if he can just hang on. He's only got 4km to go, but this is going to be an extremely tough 4km."

Michal Kwiatkowski does not look like he will be wearing yellow this evening with Vincenzo Nibali closing in, but the Pole will want to keep clear today and climb the overall standings.

Joaquim Rodriguez has pulled clear of Michal Kwiatkowski. A stage win and even more climbing points are the carrot for him.

The group containing Vincenzo Nibali is a minute and a half behind.

As it stands Tony Gallopin is still in yellow, but only by a single second and he is fading fast...

Tony Gallopin has dragged himself back to the peloton, three minutes off the leaders. Vincenzo Nibali and his Astana team are looking business-like further up the road, a minute and a half off Rodriguez and Kwiatkowski. As is Richie Porte of Team Sky.

A great finish in prospect. Five kilometres to go.

La Planche des Belles Filles is nearly six kilometres of climbing at an average of 8.5% with a kick like a mule. The final section is 20%.

Michal Kwiatkowski has been joined by Joaquim Rodriguez at the front as he approaches the foothills.

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

"Kwiatkowski is descending like an absolute demon. He's been taking lessons from Tony Martin! He's beginning to distance himself from the three behind."

Michal Kwiatkowski has decided that he is going to struggle to match Giovanni Visconti and Joaquim Rodriguez over the final gruelling climb up La Planche des Belle Filles so has pinned his ears back and whizzed into the descent.

Rob Hatch
BBC Radio 5 live sports extra commentator

"If Michele Scarponi really is in trouble here, then suddenly it's not looking like quite such plain sailing for Nibali."

Vincenzo Nibali might have lost a lieutenant. Astana team-mate Michele Scarponi misjudged a corner on the descent and ended in the sandbags.

The Italian is one minute 26 seconds off the lead.

There is a three way tug of war for the yellow jersey under way.

Tony Gallopin, the man in possession, is struggling, three minutes and 17 seconds off leader Joaquim Rodriguez.

Michal Kwiatkowski is batting gamely just behind Rodriguez, while Vincenzo Nibali is looking in the best shape of the three at the front of the peloton.

The virtual standings have less than a minutes separating the three, Gallopin ahead of Nibali and Kwiatkowski.

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

"Kwiatkowski and Visconti need to try and work together now to bring that lone rider, Rodriguez, back to them."

Giovanni Visconti and Michal Kwiatkowski follow eight seconds behind Rodriguez.

The end of that climb could not come quick enough for Kwiatkowski - he looked like he was close to cracking before the summit.

Joaquim Rodriguez arrives at the summit of the Col des Chevreres alone to claim his fifth King of the Mountain checkpoint of the day.

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

"This is the second time we've seen Tony Gallopin go out the back of the peloton, but it's the first time that it looks like he's not going to be able to recover. His face is absolutely flat out."

Instead it is Vincenzo Nibali who is tucked in behind his Astana team at the front of the peloton and he looks calm and settled.

He began the day two minutes and 26 seconds ahead of Michal Kwiatkowski.

The peloton has closed the gap to the leaders to two minutes, but yellow jersey Tony Gallopin is only clinging to the coattails of the main group as they climb.

Has yesterday's heroic ride, when he snatched the leader's jumper, caught up with him?

The leading group is suddenly shedding members as the Col des Chevreres ratchets up towards an 18% section.

Joaquim Rodriguez and Michal Kwiatkowski are on their own out front with Thomas Voeckler slipping away.

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

"Generally the riders will ride anywhere between one-and-a-half and three hours on a rest day, but gently, just to keep the legs turning over. If you do have a complete day off, you wake up the next morning and your legs are like two planks of wood!"

Bonk!

Tony Martin hits the wall. And hard.

Having delivered Michal Kwiatkowski to the foot of the penultimate climb - the Col de Chevreres - the German blows up entirely.

With a grimace he slips off the front and suddenly he is struggling to turn the cranks.

Michal Kwiatkowski is on his own from here. Twenty kilometres to go.