The five men Nathan Haas left behind have realised the Australian meant business, so have upped the rotations. And they've caught the Cannondale-Garmin rider. So it's as you were. There's 17.7km left and that climb just before the finish to come - the gap is 1min 30secs.

Want to know more about Chris Froome's customised rhino bike, which makes its debut today?

He tells Team Sky: "As a boy growing up in Kenya and South Africa, I lived with rhinos, elephants and other wildlife. These majestic creatures made a lasting impression on me and I'm thrilled to announce that I am becoming an ambassador for United for Wildlife. I've added a rhino to my bike to show my support."  

Nathan Haas has gone off the front of the leading group, which was being dragged back. Nobody has gone with him, so the Cannondale-Garmin rider seems to fancy doing the final 22.8km on his tod. Good luck sunshine.

More cuddly toys. It's a great way to make your bike unique. Don't worry, we'll get back to beer shortly. Show us your bike modifications by using #bbccycling

Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist

"Alejandro Valverde was the only man to shake up the GC yesterday. He's fourth and knocked a second off Chris Froome. I think he could go for the extra time bonuses today."

The warm weather is starting to take its toll, showing that it's not just mountains that can break a man. We're coming to the tip of the final categorised climb, and the gap to the peloton is 2mins with 30km remaining. Although it's beginning to break up a bit.

The breakaway, which still contains hometown boy Alexandre Geniez, is clinging on to its hope of leading from start to finish.

Image source, EPA

Remember when I plumped for Andre Greipel to win the stage? He's struggling and falling away. So that's the exact opposite of what I went for.

The theme has switched from beer to cuddly toys. It's like a slightly warped episode of the Generation Game.

What have you stuck on your bike to make it super cool? Use #bbccycling

The six leaders spin around a corner with two young lads in bright yellow caps looking on. They look like kids trying to spot a tiger in its cage at the zoo. Three seconds later it's gone. They seem pretty happy though. And they only have to wait 2mins 25secs to see the peloton, with that gap dropping rapidly now.

For the first time since the early breakaway, the gap has dipped under 3mins. We have 40km remaining and the descent on the Cote de la Pomparie approaching. All the action will come very late on in this stage, so stick with us.

Image source, Getty Images

Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist

"You can get a cold bottle of water from your team but within minutes it's like a hot cup of tea. But if you open it up and tip it up over your head, the cooling effect comes from the windchill factor. Keeping cool is one of the biggest issues."

How have you glammed up your bike? Use #bbccycling to tell us.

The bits that are left of Peraud are back in the peloton. And not only that, he brings gifts of bottles of water for his buddies. The man is a hero.

Jean-Christophe Peraud has told support cars he has no broken bones. So that's good news. He may need to borrow some skin off somebody though.

Matt Slater
BBC Sport

"That tumble along the tarmac for last year's runner-up Jean-Christophe Peraud certainly shook the press room from its slumbers.

"It is remarkable that the AG2R rider did not break anything, but he will be in agony tonight.

"Another enduring a torrid time out there is the guy who beat him in 2014, Vincenzo Nibali. He is currently chasing back to the peloton for the second time in 15 minutes.

"That is not something you want to do when the temperature on the road is 38 degrees and it is rolling terrain all the way to the finish."

Alexandre Geniez, Nathan Haas, Pierre-Luc Perichon, Thomas De Gendt, Wilco Kelderman ans Cyril Gautier have led this stage from the get go. And they are still out there with 50km to go. The peloton, which includes Chris Froome and his GC rivals, is 3mins and 20secs behind. Everything is pointing towards a sprint finish... but there are climbs to come.

Image source, Getty Images

Jean-Christophe Peraud, last year's runner-up, has been receiving treatment while on his bike. The race medic is leaning out of a car window, cleaning up wounds all over his arm and has wrapped gauze around the affected areas. It's making my eyes water. But he's still going. I'd have sat down and cried by now.

Image source, Getty Images

A turn of pace catches a few out and then Vincenzo Nibali picks up a puncture. Panic over though, as the peloton re-unites with the second climb approaching. The gap to the breakaway is down to 3mins 20secs.

There is a theme arising with your spruced up bikes - namely alcohol. And it's a theme I like.

What have you added to your bike? Tell us using #bbccycling