It is all over for Nicolas Roche as the breeze-block shape of Tony Martin looms in the rear-view mirror.

The Omega Pharma-Quick Step steam engine is descending like a stone in a swimming pool and comes to the front of the race.

Andrew Talansky might be saved by the fast pace of today's stage. The American is 22 minutes off the front, but the swift times being set means that the cut-off point is likely to be set north of 30 minutes.

This is death or glory for Nicolas Roche. The peloton have swallowed up Jesus Herrada Lopez, Jan Bakelants and Cyril Gautier. It is all against one.

Roche is over Cote d'Echallon with 17 seconds to nurse through the final 19km.

Nicolas Roche's burst has pushed the peloton back to over 30 seconds.

He has also shaken Jesus Herrada Lopez, Jan Bakelants and Cyril Gautier.

Can Roche hold this advantage over the final 20km? It is a big ask.

With the pack looming, Nicolas Roche has gone it alone. The Irishman pumps the legs as the incline increases up to Cote d'Echallon.

It is too much for Martin Elmiger. The other three members of the break are on Roche's tail though.

The five-strong breakaway, Jesus Herrada Lopez, Cyril Gautier, Martin Elmiger, Nicolas Roche and Jan Bakelants, are working hard and harmoniously to try and keep clear from the jaws of the peloton.

There are plenty of grimacing faces though and a few nervy glances over the shoulder.

Fourteen seconds in their lead with 22km to go. The numbers are not in the breakaway's favour.

Just one more climb to go. The three kilometre, 6.6% Cote d'Echallon is a couple of clicks away for the leaders.

The peloton are chomping at the bit with Cannondale and Orica-Greenedge, riding for Simon Gerrans, on the front.

The gap is down to 17 seconds.

Roderik Gonggrijp:, external Bauke Mollema. Every rider that finished above him in the 2013 Tour de France is either already out or classified below him now.

Tim Bell: , externalSimon Yates is a star of the future. Unfit coming to TdF2014, he's got more to give and is still just a kid.

Let's not forget about poor old Andrew Talansky. He is pressing through the wind alone and is 19 minutes 46 seconds off the front in his quest to avoid elimination.

It has been a gutsy solo effort as the American battles away without any team-mates, hindered by a dicky back.

It is Cannondale who are beating the drum at the front of the peloton. They will be hoping to get Peter Sagan lined up for the stage win that has eluded him despite a fantastic Tour so far.

The gap is down to 29 seconds.

We have just 35km to go to the finish as the leaders scoot over the Cote de Desertin with Martin Elmiger getting the one point on offer.

We have a lead group of five. Movistar's Jesus Herrada Lopez and Europcar Cyril Gautier have crossed to join Martin Elmiger, Nicolas Roche and Jan Bakelants.

The peloton are only 31 seconds behind.

Martin Elmiger has some unwanted company.

Nicolas Roche and Jan Bakelants join him at the front of the race with 37km to go.

Image source, L'Equipe

French sports daily L'Equipe have decided that it is now or never to end the 29-year wait for a successor to Bernard Hinault as the last homegrown Tour winner.

Their front page today depicts Gallic trio Romain Bardet, Thibaut Pinot and Jean-Christophe Peraud and demands one of them exploits the withdrawals of Chris Froome and Alberto Contador, as well as the absence of Nairo Quintana, and arrive in Paris in yellow.

We have seen in Britain what a bit of patriotic success can do for the Tour popularity. A French push would be a good thing for the Tour in general.

It has been a brave ride from Martin Elmiger who claims another two climbing points over Cote de Choux, but the roof could be about to fall in.

The peloton are now within 40 seconds and can sniff blood.

Ireland's Nicolas Roche, freed from his duties guarding Alberto Contador, is gunning for stage wins. He and Omega Pharma-Quick Step's Jan Bakelants have come clear of the chasers and are now within 21 seconds of leader Martin Elmiger.

Andrew Talansky's ride today is being soundtracked by the exhortations of Robbie Hunter in the Garmin-Sharp team car.

The American is 15 minutes 45 seconds off the leader. Twenty-five minutes will be the approximate cut-off point.

Your shouts for the next general classification superstars are coming in thick and fast.

Johnny, Isle of Man (unsurprisingly) on text: Peter Kennaugh, surely? Great effort in the mountains supporting Froomey last year, unlucky to not get a ride this year, so went and won the Tour of Austria instead. Only just 25, a real talent.

James Downward on text: Joe Dombrowski is the next star, Froome has already said that in training he has pushed him and Richie so given time he could be heir apparent to Lemond

Rich in Bristol on text: Not much has been talked of Tejay Van Garderen. He finished 5th in 2012 playing second fiddle to Cadel Evans. He's a cracking time trialist and can climb. If it wasn't for his earlier crash he would be right in the mix. If he hits form and has some luck in his favour he's one for the future.

Swiss champion Martin Elmiger, who began the day more than 50 minutes off yellow, is alone at the front of the race. He drops Cyril Lemoine and clears the summit of Cote de Rogna alone to claim the two climbing points on offer.

He is being chased by a four-strong group that includes a vengeful Lemoine, Garmin-Sharp's Tom Slagter and Tinkoff-Saxo's Nicolas Roche.

Elmiger is 38 seconds clear and the gap is dropping all the time. Forty-five kilometres to go.

The rest day doesn't seem to have agreed with Team Sky domestique Vasili Kiryienka. He slips out of the back of the peloton as Astana pump the pedals up Cote de Rogna.