Image source, EPA

The word coming in over the Tour radio is that Alberto Contador's crash might have been caused by a bike falling from the roof of one of his team cars after Tinkoff-Saxo changed a wheel for support man Nicolas Roche.

That is rank rotten luck if so.

Contador has sustained a bad injury to his right knee certainly. The Spaniard's calm throughout the incident was extraordinary, allowing the doctor to work on him before changing his damaged shoes and giving it one final go.

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

"Richie Porte has got himself in a nice position. The Team Sky riders haven't had to do any work today, so they should be able to at least maintain his position. I would be surprised to see Porte go on the attack, but if he feels like he's got the legs, he may go for it."

Team Sky's Belarussian hardman Vasili Kiryienka has taken the pace on at the front of the peloton, hoping to put Richie Porte into contention at the end of the stage.

The gap is still two minutes 35 seconds to the leaders though.

And Team Sky's control of the peloton is nothing like the dominance of 2013. You have to say the race is a lot more interesting as a result.

Alberto Contador is not going to be crossing the finish line. Certainly not on a bike anyway.

Image source, AP

The Spaniard, perhaps the favourite for the Tour after Chris Froome's withdrawal, has had to abandon earlier today after falling and injuring himself on an apparently innocuous climb.

Image source, Getty Images

It is pretty murky at the finish line.

The final climb is the steepest of the day with a 20% gradient to tackle immediately before the line.

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

"Thomas Voeckler is a real cult hero in France. He really does animate the race, not just with his facial expressions, but with the way he turns the wheels as well."

Polkadot Jersey
Classification

Joaquim Rodriguez scoops up the top prize of two climbing points at the summit of the Col des Croix. Thomas Voeckler has decided to keep his powder dry for the two category ones to come.

Maybe the leading group of nine need to start co-operating a little and letting Tony Martin have a couple of clicks off the front?

There are plenty of powerful riders behind him, team-mate Michal Kwiatkowski, Thomas Voeckler, Joaquim Rodriguez and Giovanni Visconti I'm looking at you, who might need to lend a hand to keep their group clear.

The peloton are starting to share the work out. Movistar come to the front as the gap to the leaders drops below three minutes. Team Sky are also sniffing around after letting Astana take the strain for the first three-quarters of the stage.

The leaders are inside the final 40km, approaching a short and shallow climb up Col des Croix. Just over three kilometres at an average of 6.2%.

Need I tell you? Tony Martin is still on the front of the bike race.

The gap is contracting.

Maybe Tony Martin's battery is finally running low. Maybe Lotto-Belisol's assistance on the front is starting to show on the clock.

Either way the leaders' advantage has been whittled down to three minutes 45 seconds from four and a half.

As it stands, Tony Gallopin is back in virtual yellow by 15 seconds.

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

"It's quite possible that Contador did snap his frame. Every rider in the peloton is riding a carbon-fibre frame these days. They are designed to withhold the stresses and strains of riding the bike, but only in the direction that they are applied. So if you crash and hit the top tube on the side, then you could very well put a dent in it."

Image source, AP

The first pictures of Alberto Contador's surrender are coming in from the front. The Spaniard climbed back aboard after this spill, but has lost too much time and spirit, and picked up too many injuries, to continue for long.

Back in the main pack, Astana have got some much-needed help.

Lotto-Belisol, who still harbour hopes of keeping Tony Gallopin in yellow for a second day, are lending a hand.

They need to as well. Tony Martin has single-handedly held off the best that Astana could throw at him, keeping the gap between the leaders and the peloton at four and a half minutes.

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

"Anyone out there who is running a fantasy Tour de France team and hasn't got Tony Martin in it, what were you thinking?"

Polkadot Jersey
Classification

1 Joaquim Rodriguez 39 pts

2. Thomas Voeckler 32 pts

3. Tony Martin 26 pts

4. Blel Kadri 17 pts

Polkadot Jersey
Classification

Joaquim Rodriguez is looking a good bet to finish the day in the polka dot jersey that currently adorns the back of Tony Martin.

The Spaniard spurts off the front of the leading group to take five more climbing points over the top of the Col d'Oderen and Thomas Voeckler looks content with second.

There are still plenty of points to compete for with two category-one climbs in the final 20km.

While the post-stage discussion will inevitably be on Alberto Contador's abandonment, Tony Martin's bottomless reserves of strength and stamina deserve a minute of air time.

The German is dragging team-mate Michal Kwiatkowski into yellow whether he likes it or not.

The leaders' advantage on the yellow group is stubbornly staying out at around four minutes 30 seconds under his stewardship.

All after yesterday's epic stage win.

Patrick, London via text: Now Contador is gone, can we please refrain from the ridiculous 'but what if Wiggins was here' discussion again. Let's go Porte!!

Alex, Liverpool via text: So happy to see Kwiatkowski doing well. Been following him for a while, impressed last year in White and been the form rider at the start of the season. Deserves a podium place in Paris at least.

Simon Gibson via text: Disappointed for tour. Also for Nibbles. I backed him from start and people may say he wins only as Froome and Contador out. Will never know but think he's the cleverest racer.

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

"So many riders will be thinking that this gives them a chance. Maybe not for the yellow jersey in Paris, but somewhere along the way. Maybe for the podium. Two potential winners have gone. We now might see some new names emerge."