A split in the group of six riders - with Dan Martin and Serge Pauwels trying to catch Rafal Majka, who remains almost six minutes clear of the yellow jersey group with 25km to go.

Will Majka hold on? Let me know what you think. Majka, of course, won two stages last year.

Hmm, that looks like rather hairy action in north India.

Bit of a wobble on a corner from Rafal Majka. I've got to be honest, I find it slightly terrifying watching the speed they speed down a mountain.

Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"I think Froome's GC rivals have to make the most of the descents. Nibali descends very well. There is plenty of room on the road for people to put Froome under pressure, but if Froome can keep Richie Porte with him it shouldn't be a problem." 

Wonder if the pace in the yellow jersey group is dropping slightly? Michael Rogers, Andrew Talansky, Laurens ten Dam and Mathias Frank have all battled back and rejoined it.

There are 35km left and that group is on its way down from the Tourmalet. Fast, barren, tough.

Do keep them coming, these are just superb.

Text 81111 or use #bbccycling

About 15 riders left in the yellow jersey group - including Chris Froome (obvs), Nairo Quintana, Vincenzo Nibali, Alberto Contador and Tejay van Garderen.

Richie Porte, second yesterday, lost touch briefly but is back on board now.

Rafal Majka has just reached the top of the Tourmalet. He is about a minute ahead of the six riders behind him and five minutes 30 seconds ahead of the yellow jersey group. 

Astana's Rein Taraamäe and Lampre-Merida's Rui Costa have both abandoned.

There are 43.5km left with Rafal Majka still out on his own, with the breakaway group of six behind him. The main group, such as it is, are five minutes further down the road. 

BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

You can listen to Simon Brotherton and Rob Hayles commentating on the remainder of this stage on Radio 5 live sports extra and on this page by using the play icon now.

Send us your snaps of mountains conquered - use #bbccycling or tell us about your climbs by texting 81111

I've never been great at maths (witness my attempts to add up the distance ridden so far yesterday) but I make it four abandons today with the news that AG2R's Ben Gastauer has called it a day. Team-mate Johan Vansummeren has already quit.  

Astana still pushing the pace and their chasing group is getting smaller all the time.

It was tough for Vincenzo Nibali yesterday but he looks a lot more solid today - wonder what he can produce over the next hour?

Pole Rafal Majka is out on his own at the front as he nears the top of the Tourmalet. 

Image source, EPA

Delhi to the Pyrenees? Hats off to you Akshay.

Interesting move from Rafal Majka, who goes off the front of the breakaway. Their lead is tumbling and the Tinkoff-Saxo rider has obviously had enough. Dan Martin, who did so much work to brudge the gap, is struggling to stay with him.

Jean-Christophe Peraud, second last year, off the back.

Team Astana raising the pace and the lead of the seven-man breakaway slips to six minutes.

Image source, Getty Images

Yep, we have just reached the halfway mark in this year's Tour. 

As you were. A seven-minute lead for the breakaway with 50km left. They are making their way up the Tourmalet. A breakaway has not succeeded in staying out so far this year.....

The seven are Dan Martin, Thomas Voeckler, Steve Morabito, Rafal Majka (who won the King of the Mountains last year), Serge Pauwels, Julien Simon and Emanuel Buchmann.

It looks super hot, the wrong side of 30C.