Poor Peraudpublished at 16:59
A battered, bruised and bloodied Jean-Christophe Peraud will be stinging tonight. He's the real winner today in my eyes.
Image source, Getty ImagesSummary
Van Avermaet beats Sagan in sprint finish
Breakaway riders caught seconds before line
Froome finishes sixth and maintains 2mins 52secs lead in yellow
Stage 13: 198.5km from Muret to Rodez
Poor Peraudpublished at 16:59
Image source, Getty ImagesGreen jerseypublished at 16:56
Sagan back in green
It may have not been the stage win he wanted, but Andre Greipel's claim to the green jersey only lasted half a stage as Peter Sagan's second place gives him the points leadership back. He's on 285 points, Greipel on 261.
Postpublished at 16:54
Greg van Avermaet receives the plaudits on the podium for his stage win. It's his first ever Tour de France stage win and goes with his stage win in the Vuelta in 2008.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 16:52 British Summer Time 17 July 2015
Orica GreendEdge's Michael Matthews was well fancied today.
Quote Message"I need to sit down with the team and go over what our goals are. Today was one of my big goals before I fractured my ribs."
Michael Matthews on ITV4
Yellow jerseypublished at 16:49
As you were
There has been absolutely no change to the top nine in the general classification. The only time dropped is by 10th-placed Bauke Mollema, who has lost a second on the rest, it seems.
Postpublished at 16:44 British Summer Time 17 July 2015
Thomas De Gendt was one of those riders who led in the breakaway for most of the race.
Quote MessageThe last two days were very hard so you could really feel it in the legs. Six guys was probably a bit too short. We had a plan and we almost succeeded.
Thomas De Gendt on ITV4
Postpublished at 16:35
It's agony for Peter Sagan. That's 15 second places in Tour stages for the Slovakian. Come on, who predicted Van Avermaet? Be honest. None of you. He came out of nowhere and Sagan did not have enough in the tank.
Image source, Getty ImagesVan Avermaet wins stagepublished at 16:32
The leaders are overhauled, and it's an outright sprint between Peter Sagan and Greg van Avermaet to the line... Avermaet takes it in a thrilling finish!
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 16:29
It's an uphill grind. Finally we have some action...
Postpublished at 16:29
Steve Cummings, the British rider, is driving on the peloton with the prize in sight. Cyril Gautier looks agonisingly behind him as we enter the final km. Eyes on the road man!
Postpublished at 16:27
2.5km remaining, three men out front with a 13-second cushion...
De Gendt most aggressivepublished at 16:27
Race organisers have given Thomas De Gendt the most aggressive rider of the day prize. I feel Jean-Christophe Peraud is hard done by, as being as bits of him are still in the FDrench countryside.
Postpublished at 16:25
The road has widened and the peloton have plenty of space to stretch their wheels. Five km to go, 27 seconds the gap.
Postpublished at 16:23
Three of the six who have led the way have been caught. Kelderman, Gautier and De Gendt are still out in front. Can they be caught?
Time to movepublished at 16:21
9km remaining with 40 seconds the gap. This is actually going to get a bit exciting...
Postpublished at 16:19
I've done Thomas De Gendt a disservice, he is up top with Kelderman and Gautier. They have a 50-second cushion on the peloton with 10km to go. It's not a very comfy cushion mind.
Postpublished at 16:18 British Summer Time 17 July 2015
Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist"It's touch and go if the breakaway can go all the way. If was a flat run-in I'd say they could stay away. but with this final drag up to the finish I'm not too sure. I think it could just go the peloton's way."
Postpublished at 16:16
Meanwhile, in the peloton Simon Yates is pulling along the group. His Orica Greenedge team-mate Michael Matthews will fancy a crack at taking the stage. The GC contenders look content to go with the flow.
Image source, ReutersLead group splitspublished at 16:14
Wilco Kelderman, sensing the peloton are just a minute behind, has a go and takes Cyril Gautier with him. It will take an ironman effort to win this stage from here with 13km remaining.
Peraud persistingpublished at 16:12
Jean-Christophe Peraud, a white bandage hanging off his left arm, is digging away at the back of the peloton. A gladiatorial effort.