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Dan Martin blasts past Serge Pouwels. Second place for the Irishman today. I mean, surely he cannot bridge the two-minute gap with just 3.4km left?
Summary
Chris Froome maintains strong overall lead
Rafal Majka first over Tourmalet and takes convincing win
Dan Martin 2nd, one minute behind Majka
Froome stays 2mins 52secs ahead of van Garderen, 3mins 9secs of Quintana
4mins 4secs ahead of Contador, and increases lead over Nibali to 7mins 47secs
Stage 11: Pau to Cauterets, 188km
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Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra"People are saying Froome has the yellow jersey wrapped up. But as we saw from some of the riders yesterday, if you have a bad day you can lose so much time on a climb quickly. We've never seen Chris do that but you never know. This is not over."
Image source, Reuters5km to gopublished at 15:59
Dan Martin is probably going to catch Serge Pauwels in second, but I don't think he will be getting near Rafal Majka, who is close to the top of the final climb of another hot, tough day in the Pyrenees.
Hats off to all of them.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 15:57
Mountain memories
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6km to gopublished at 15:56
The group of seven that we had out in front for some considerable time is severely splintered now. Thomas Voeckler has been swallowed up by the yellow jersey group. Team Sky are on the front of that one, with Richie Porte and Geraint Thomas in front of Chris Froome.
Image source, ReutersPostpublished at 15:53
One last dig from Dan Martin, who is now out on his own in third having dropped Emanuel Buchmann.
But I don't think he will be troubling leader Rafal Majka, who is two minutes clear with 7km left to go.
Falling out of love with the Tour?published at 15:51
Chris Froome might have struggled to weave his way through the crowds at some points during Tuesday's final climb and we have seen fans by the roadside today, but at least one person has been disappointed with the turnout so far.
Veteran Sunday Times journalist David Walsh was on BBC Radio 5 earlier today and I thought he had some very interesting things to say...
Image source, Getty ImagesQuote MessageI've been coming to mountain stages for 33 years. I have never seen a crowd so small on a stage like Tuesday's. The crowds were unbelievable sparse. Have the French fallen out of love with their own race? I certainly believe they have. The mountains are were you get the hardcore fans and yet there weren’t that many. I used to dread the drive down from a mountain stage because it took so long with fans blocking the road as they walked home. On Tuesday it took us 20 minutes.
David Walsh, Sunday Times journalist
9km to gopublished at 15:50
So we end today with a category three climb up to Cauterets. All looking good for Rafal Majka, who remains more than a minute clear of Serge Pauwels.
It has been a superb ride by the 25-year-old, who is closing in on his third stage win at the Tour after two in 2014.
Tricky little finishpublished at 15:47
Quote MessageFunny finish to today's stage. It's a 6.4km climb at 5% but the last 2km are almost flat. On the drive up this morning, we were joking that there could be a bunch sprint with lead-out men. There won't be, though, because not only does this climb come immediately after the descent from the leg-shredding Tourmalet, there is a section of switchbacks with 3km to go with an average gradient of 10%. It will be very hot on the road by the time the riders reach that point and it could provide an opportunity for a puncheur to jump clear. The last mile or so would then be a question of head down, mouth open, ignore the burning sensation in your lungs and try not to black out.
Matt Slater, BBC Sport at the Tour de France
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As Rob Hayles was saying earlier....
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This scares me...
Image source, AP12.5km to gopublished at 15:44
So, Pole Rafal Majka is one minute clear of MTN-Quebeka's South African Serge Pauwels.
Behind Pauwels are Dan Martin and Emanuel Buchmann - but they surely now have too much to do?
The yellow jersey group seem happy with their work for the day and trail by nearly six minutes.
Postpublished at 15:41
Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra"If you're wondering why the yellow jersey group haven't brought back the riders out front, it's because the highest-placed rider out there is Dan Martin and he's 26th, so is not threat to the yellow jersey."
Meanwhile, back in parliament...published at 15:37
It seems that everyone is glued to the performance of Chris Froome and co. This image of French politician Regis Juanico was taken during a session of "questions to the government" in which the members can ask questions regarding the policy of the French government.
Image source, EPA20km to gopublished at 15:36
For obvious reasons, it took the riders some time to get up the Tourmalet but they have been speeding along since then.
Serge Pauwels and Dan Martin are trying to chase down leader Rafal Majka.
All safe so far in the yellow jersey group. The big contenders are all there.
Image source, EPAget involved Get Involvedpublished at 15:33
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Warren Barguil, who was involved in a crash yesterday, is trying to catch up with the yellow jersey group. The Giant-Alpecin rider is descending at 50 miles per hour.
Yep, me too.
On the buses!published at 15:31
I wonder if Chris Froome is tempted to hitch a ride on the Team Sky bus instead of cycling up the mountains!
Postpublished at 15:30
Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra"A few riders are having to get through some cows on the road. Hitting a dog can be catostraophic for a rider, but hitting a cow - I dread to think."