It was all pretty standard for quite some period of time but then the stage positively exploded into life. Drama with the breakaway, drama with the yellow jersey contenders, drama for Geraint Thomas.

Thomas will have his latest column on the website on Tuesday. Be sure to check that out.

Tuesday, of course, is the rest day. We will be back on Wednesday when Chris Osborne will be your host as the race moves into a potentially crucial few days in the mountains.

I've just read Geraint Thomas's preview to this stage on the BBC website.

Fair to say he got it spot on.....

"This descent into Gap for the stage finish is very dodgy indeed. Riding at the 2003 Tour, Lance Armstrong had to go off the road and ride across a field to avoid Joseba Beloki, who had fallen off ahead of him. And the last time the Tour rode it, in 2013, Froome and Contador had to go off the road too.

"It's stressful, because everybody knows there's been problems in the past. It'll certainly be nervous racing up the top before a big sprint down the descent, because this is where Nibali could go for a flyer to try and gain a bit of time. Contador too, again back in 2013, showed his skill on the descents, when he didn't really have the legs for the climbs."

The sizeable remainder of the field has just pulled in - pretty much 30 minutes down on the stage winner.

1. Ruben Plaza (Spain / Lampre) 4:30:10"

2. Peter Sagan (Slovakia / Tinkoff - Saxo) +30"

3. Jarlinson Pantano (Colombia / IAM Cycling) +36"

4. Simon Geschke (Germany / Giant) +40"

5. Bob Jungels (Luxembourg / Trek)

6. Christophe Riblon (France / AG2R)

7. Daniel Teklehaimanot (Eritrea / Team MTN) +53"

8. Thomas De Gendt (Belgium / Lotto) +1:00"

9. Luis Angel Mate (Spain / Cofidis) +1:22"

10. Thomas Voeckler (France / Europcar)

11. Pierrick Fedrigo (France / Bretagne) +1:54"

12. Andriy Grivko (Ukraine / Astana)

13. Serge Pauwels (Belgium / Team MTN)

14. Michal Golas (Poland / Etixx - Quick-Step) +1:55"

 15. Imanol Erviti (Spain / Movistar) +2:19"

Image source, Getty Images

Sounds like he is OK....

"It was a hard right and I was just following the wheel and then all of a sudden Barguil went into me.

"I feel alright for now - I guess the doctor will ask me my number and date of birth soon.

"A nice Frenchman pulled me out - but I lost my glasses as well. They don't even make them any more."

Geraint Thomas remains sixth in the GC standings.

Just as well that Geraint Thomas is, by the looks of things, OK. His Team Sky team-mate Peter Kennaugh withdrew earlier in the day.

Nothing like cruising towards the rest day. Nothing like that at all...

And breathe. That really was an amazing last half hour. 

Image source, Getty Images

One of the big losers today is Tony Gallopin. He was the highest placed Frenchman - ninth at the start of the day - but has lost some substantial time today.

Just watched the Geraint Thomas crash again. Really quite spectacular as he went over the side of the road on a corner after Warren Barguil bumped into him.  

And here he comes - absolutely tough as teak, Geraint Thomas crosses the line. Amazing.

The other Yellow jersey contenders contest a sprint finish as they cross the line.

Image source, Getty Images

Vincenzo Nibali crosses the line. He will have clawed a few seconds back but nothing too substantial.

The talk is that Thomas is now just 40 seconds behind the yellow jersey group.

Race radio is reporting that Geraint Thomas is back on his bike and riding again.