Clarke continues to be the vegemite in the Europcar sandwich as Giant-Shimano bomb down the hill into Saint Etienne and continue to shave seconds off the escaped trio.

Just 10km to go.

Gautier attacks and Quemeneur sits tight, forcing Clarke to set off in pursuit. They have to work together if they want to reach the finish line alone.

And now Quemeneur goes. A real ding-dong up front with Europcar ganging up on poor old Clarke who has been out in the break all day and must be on his final legs.

The peloton is stretched out, which is a sign of how fast they are going. They are just 30 seconds back with 15.5km to go. Are they timing this to perfection again.

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

"On this descent Clarke can afford to freewheel in the slipstream and take on some fluids and energy gels. He can afford to sit in there because there's two Europcar riders with him, although they won't want to take him all the way to the finish."

The Astana team of race leader Vincenzo Nibali moves to the front of the peloton as they descend into Saint Etienne. Team Sky are also up near the front. Giant-Shimano continue to make the pace though and the peloton is just 45 seconds back.

Team Sky:, external Team Sky today terminated Jonathan Tiernan-Locke's contract with immediate effect.

The two Breton riders from Europcar are just 20 seconds behind Clarke as they go over the summit of Cote de Grammond and they catch the Australian as they start on the descent.

Team Sky's Bernie Eisel snatches a tactical food bag at the top of the climb - a couple of snacks for his team-mates and vital energy on the run-in to the finish.

Gallopin won't be repeating his stage victory from Wednesday, he is firmly towards the back of the peloton, which is being led by Giant-Shimano, now those two Europcar boys have shot off.

The peloton is 72 seconds behind Clarke with the Quemeneur and Gautier inbetween.

Langeveld's day disintegrated quickly - he has already gone through the back of the peloton.

Matt Bright, via text on 81111: Re: Gallopin's well deserved 1V, would like to think Cav's would have said at least 27V by now.

I'll bring you more on that as and when I get it. In the meantime, Simon Clarke has attacked his fellow breakaway rider Langeveld with 26km remaining.

Tiernan-Locke has been suspended for two years for anomalies in his biological passport.

He won the Tour of Britain in 2012 but this victory has now been taken off him.

News also coming in that Team Sky's Jonathan Tiernan-Locke has been given a two-year ban.

Cyril Gautier and Perrig Quemeneur are the two men in the racing green of Europcar to ride clear of the peloton.

At the back of the peloton sprinter Marcel Kittel is dropping out of the back of the peloton - that clears things up in the Giant team then, it's full gas for John Degenkolb.

Langeveld and Clarke are on the final climb, it's only a category four climb but it's 9.8km in length. The average gradient is just 2.9%.

Their lead immediately diminishes by 15 seconds as a couple of Europcar riders zip off the front of the peloton.

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

"If you bring a break back too early it entices teams who aren't interested in a bunch sprint to go on the attack. It happened yesterday with Gallopin who didn't fancy a sprint against Sagan, so went off on his own."

First proper sight of Geraint Thomas - easily recognisable with his white sunglasses and union flag on the right sleeve of his Team Sky jersey. He's looking after Richie Porte of course and they will be content to ride home in the main bunch today.

Bigger battles to come for them, starting with Friday's summit finish at Chamrousse.

The lead is down to two minutes and the peloton is trying to time this catch to perfection.

Andy Thompson:, external Should be an easy day for Nibali, a lot tougher tomorrow though, especially on the climb to Chamrousse.

Into the last 40km of the stage for our leaders Sebastian Langeveld and Simon Clarke. Dutch champion Langeveld rides for Garmin-Sharp - listen for the dedications to team-mate Andrew Talansky if he pulls off a victory here.

The lead remaining the right side of two minutes for the duo.

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

"As the riders go under 2km to go banner today, there's a bit of a rise and could put a bit of a sting in the legs if you're struggling to stay in a wheel. It's nice big wide roads though and the finishing straight is flat which should suit Sagan but he's not been riding too cleverly so far."

Patrick in London, via text on 81111: @Luke Smith - Thor Hushovd won the jersey in 2005 without winning a stage I believe.