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.
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Prescient words
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."
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The sizeable remainder of the field has just pulled in - pretty much 30 minutes down on the stage winner.
Today's stage standings
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"
Gags from Geraint
Getty ImagesCopyright: 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."
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Geraint Thomas remains sixth in the GC standings.
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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.
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Nothing like cruising towards the rest day. Nothing like that at all...
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And breathe. That really was an amazing last half hour.
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Bad day for Gallopin
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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.
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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.
Thomas finishes
And here he comes - absolutely tough as teak, Geraint Thomas crosses the line. Amazing.
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The other Yellow jersey contenders contest a sprint finish as they cross the line.
Nibali finishes
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Vincenzo Nibali crosses the line. He will have clawed a few seconds back but nothing too substantial.
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The talk is that Thomas is now just 40 seconds behind the yellow jersey group.
Thomas on his bike
Race radio is reporting that Geraint Thomas is back on his bike and riding again.
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reutersCopyright: reuters
I said Chris Froome was on his own in terms of team-mates, not quite true, he has Wouter Poels with him.
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Still no word on Geraint Thomas. Vincenzo Nibali is going to claw some time back but not a huge amount. Chris Froome is still with the other big GC contenders about 15 seconds back.
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Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
Quote Message: That could have been Chris Froome. That's why you never take your eye off the ball on a stage like this.
That could have been Chris Froome. That's why you never take your eye off the ball on a stage like this.
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Simon Brotherton
Cycling commentator
Quote Message: Geraint Thomas has gone over the side of the road, hit his head on a telegraph pole and fallen into a bush. He tried to put his brakes on, but it was Barguil who lost control and barged him off. Thomas had no chance.
Geraint Thomas has gone over the side of the road, hit his head on a telegraph pole and fallen into a bush. He tried to put his brakes on, but it was Barguil who lost control and barged him off. Thomas had no chance.
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No idea yet if Thomas is OK - or indeed back on his bike. Chris Froome now exposed.
Big crash for Thomas
Warren Barguil gets it wrong at a corner and runs into Geraint Thomas, who runs off the road and hits a telegraph pole.
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The gap between Ruben Plaza and Peter Sagan was 30 seconds.
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Alejandro Valverde - fourth in the standings, 30 seconds behind Tejay Van Garderen - attacks and opens up some daylight. Chris Froome has the trusty Geraint Thomas with him.
They are on the descent into Gap now.
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Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
Quote Message: We've expected this kind of move from Nibali, just to reassert himself, as he's struggled on this Tour and lost time in every stage.
We've expected this kind of move from Nibali, just to reassert himself, as he's struggled on this Tour and lost time in every stage.
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Vincenzo Nibali is working hard to claw some time back. He has 11km to the finish line. There does not seem to be any immediate panic among the riders behind him.
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Alberto Contador makes a move, Warren Barguil is caught. Then Vincenzo Nibali, more than eight minutes down on the GC standings, has a go and opens up some daylight.
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So, the yellow jersey group are on the way up Col de Manse. Expect plenty of attacks - particularly on the fast descent into Gap.
Yellow jersey
And as all the breakaway riders cross the line, we can now start to focus a little more on events down the road....
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APCopyright: AP
And yep, another second place for Peter Sagan, his fifth of the Tour.
What does he have to do to win a stage?
Colombian Jarlinson Pantano is third.
Plaza wins stage 16
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Ruben Plaza, 35, wins his first stage at the Tour de France. And boy does he look thrilled about it.
1.5km to go
Has Ruben Plaza done enough? If so Peter Sagan is heading for his fifth second place finish on this Tour. Remarkable.
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Simon Brotherton
Cycling commentator
Quote Message: Sagan is taking every risk imaginable here. And we've got a lot to look forward to with the maillot jaune group on this descent, too.
Sagan is taking every risk imaginable here. And we've got a lot to look forward to with the maillot jaune group on this descent, too.
2.5km to go
Peter Sagan looks in full pursuit mode. He has to make up 30 seconds in 2.5km.
3.5km to go
APCopyright: AP
Ruben Plaza still in front. Peter Sagan chasing him hard and Colombian Jarlinson Pantano not far behind him.
4km to go
Wow, this chase to the line could go very wrong for someone.
The main group at the bottom of the category two climb is splitting all over the place.
There are about 15 or so riders in the group with Chris Froome. That could get tasty.
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Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
Quote Message: If I was Peter Sagan's team director, watching this, I'd tell him: forget the stage win. You're firmly in the green jersey, but you could lose absolutely everything on this stage. Is it worth risking everything for a crash?
If I was Peter Sagan's team director, watching this, I'd tell him: forget the stage win. You're firmly in the green jersey, but you could lose absolutely everything on this stage. Is it worth risking everything for a crash?
6km to go
Ruben Plaza locked his wheels on the descent. That could have been disaster. Lots of talk that tar melting on the roads is causing problems, with some riders incorrect thinking they had got a flat.
Peter Sagan then hits the same spot as Ruben Plaza and almost overshoots the corner.
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Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
Quote Message: That's got to be one of the comedy moments of the Tour. Christophe Riblon was ninth, he attacked down the left-hand side, Peter Sagan saw him coming and by the time he got to Sagan, Sagan was going as fast as he was. He put his hand in the air as if to say "come on, let me have a go!".
That's got to be one of the comedy moments of the Tour. Christophe Riblon was ninth, he attacked down the left-hand side, Peter Sagan saw him coming and by the time he got to Sagan, Sagan was going as fast as he was. He put his hand in the air as if to say "come on, let me have a go!".
9km to go
The main group hit the final climb and Team Sky's Richie Porte is swiftly out the back.
Peter Sagan leading the chase as the remains of the breakaway try to catch Ruben Plaza.
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Ruben Plaza is first over the Col de Manse. Downhill now. Expect this stage to speed up.
12.5km to go
Thomas De Gendt tries his luck, Peter Sagan snuffs out the move. Simon Geschke then goes. Guess what happens?
Imagine after all this marking and effort and determination, Sagan ended up finishing second again.
That may well depend on Ruben Plaza staying clear.
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Simon Brotherton
Cycling commentator
Quote Message: The peloton have gone mad. They were doing nothing all day, and every time the picture cuts back to them, they're riding like the clappers like they're leading someone out for a sprint.
The peloton have gone mad. They were doing nothing all day, and every time the picture cuts back to them, they're riding like the clappers like they're leading someone out for a sprint.
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Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
Quote Message: BMC are now heading the peloton, the stage win has gone but they want to get their man Tejay van Garderen in position in the general classification.
BMC are now heading the peloton, the stage win has gone but they want to get their man Tejay van Garderen in position in the general classification.
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Thomas Voeckler shapes to have a go but guess what - Peter Sagan is straight on it. The Slovak catches him and looks around to see who is next.
I think there might be nine in that group, difficult to tell exactly.
Ruben Plaza has a gap pushing one minute.
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Plenty of attacks coming now at the head of the splintered group of 21 but Peter Sagan is marking all of them. Interesting to see Thomas Voeckler in there.
Ruben Plaza still out in front, but not by far, perhaps 30 seconds.
Looking at 20 minutes back to the peloton.
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I think we might have winner...
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Ruben Plaza really does look like he is in pain, desperate to build a small gap.
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Simon Brotherton
Cycling commentator
Quote Message: This is where Ruben Plaza needs to press on as if he's not far ahead by the summit, Sagan will drop him like a stone on the descent.
This is where Ruben Plaza needs to press on as if he's not far ahead by the summit, Sagan will drop him like a stone on the descent.
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17.5km to go
Hmm, Ruben Plaza is now 19 seconds ahead. Is this because nobody wants to be descending with Peter Sagan?
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The group of 21 is really splintering. Adam Hansen and Marco Haller are about to be caught. Their bold move comes to an end.
Ruben Plaza now has a dig.
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Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
Quote Message: Peter Sagan will know that if he doesn't pull these two riders back, he is effectively giving away a stage win. On paper, he is the quickest.
Peter Sagan will know that if he doesn't pull these two riders back, he is effectively giving away a stage win. On paper, he is the quickest.
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Peter Sagan is driving the pace at the front of the 21 chasing Hansen and Haller. Does he want a stage win or what?
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Simon Brotherton
Cycling commentator
Quote Message: It looks as though the rest of the riders in that group are chasing Hansen and Haller hard - they can almost see them.
It looks as though the rest of the riders in that group are chasing Hansen and Haller hard - they can almost see them.
20km to go
Adam Hansen and Marco Haller have just gone through Gap - will they be on their own when they return at the end of this stage? They have just started the 8.9km climb to Col de Manse with a 51 second advantage.
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Simon Brotherton
Cycling commentator
Quote Message: The peleton are going backwards - 18 minutes behind on a very hot day. Haller and Hansen really have the bit between their teeth now.
The peleton are going backwards - 18 minutes behind on a very hot day. Haller and Hansen really have the bit between their teeth now.
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Of course, Matt's excellent analysis is dependent on Adam Hansen and Marco Haller being caught. They have a lead of one minute now.
Easy street for the peloton.
25km to go
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Quote Message: The next 45 minutes of this race are going to be tactically fascinating. Twenty-three men up the road, 15 teams represented, six teams with two riders, one with three, a long but steady climb and then a very difficult descent. That would seem to point to the new Raymond Poulidor: 15-time stage runner-up, Peter Sagan, a master of the descent. But everybody in the break knows that. Therefore, he must be dropped on the way up. Who will do the work, though? Game theory on bikes. from Matt Slater BBC Sport at the Tour de France
The next 45 minutes of this race are going to be tactically fascinating. Twenty-three men up the road, 15 teams represented, six teams with two riders, one with three, a long but steady climb and then a very difficult descent. That would seem to point to the new Raymond Poulidor: 15-time stage runner-up, Peter Sagan, a master of the descent. But everybody in the break knows that. Therefore, he must be dropped on the way up. Who will do the work, though? Game theory on bikes.
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Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
Quote Message: Everybody feels that Chris Froome's bike handling isn't on par with most of the others, but he has proved this year he can mix it with the best of them, so it'll be interesting to see if they go after him on this descent.
Everybody feels that Chris Froome's bike handling isn't on par with most of the others, but he has proved this year he can mix it with the best of them, so it'll be interesting to see if they go after him on this descent.
Ominous...
But we've got a rest day first.
The peloton are now more than 17 minutes back so they've not exactly been full gas so far.
That said, doesn't mean we won't have attacks on Chris Froome from his yellow jersey rivals on the fast descent into Gap.
31km to go
Adam Hansen and Marco Haller have a lead of about 35 seconds over the chasing 21 riders. They are approaching the category two Col de Manse - but will they be able to get over it and stay away or will they be caught?
The chasing group don't look all that organised.
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Excellent question...
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Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
Is the Tour still wide open?
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Quote Message: It certainly isn't over. Potentially, any of the GC riders on this descent could lose that [advantage] today. They've had a truck spraying water on the descent all day trying to keep the tarmac cool. If Chris Froome has a bad day, you can lose so much time on these inclines. Chris needs to keep as many of his team-mates with him as long as possible, and not panic.
It certainly isn't over. Potentially, any of the GC riders on this descent could lose that [advantage] today. They've had a truck spraying water on the descent all day trying to keep the tarmac cool. If Chris Froome has a bad day, you can lose so much time on these inclines. Chris needs to keep as many of his team-mates with him as long as possible, and not panic.
36km to go
Adam Hansen is still out in front but he now has company. Austrian road racing champion Marco Haller has joined him. That could well be mutually advantageous.
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Simon Brotherton
Cycling commentator
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Quote Message: The peleton are a bit strung out now, but they're 15-and-a-half minutes behind the leading group riders, and they're not going to make that up.
The peleton are a bit strung out now, but they're 15-and-a-half minutes behind the leading group riders, and they're not going to make that up.
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Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
Quote Message: I'm melting. But I did call home earlier and it was raining back home, so it fell on deaf ears
I'm melting. But I did call home earlier and it was raining back home, so it fell on deaf ears
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Adam Hansen is currently cycling at 48.5km per hour.
Hansen on the move
EPACopyright: EPA
Adam Hansen is still working very hard to try to put some time between himself and the rest of the 22-man breakaway.
Hansen, of course, rides for Lotto-Soudal. He took a big fall and sustained a shoulder injury on stage two. The Aussie sure looks fit and strong right now. He has about a 30 second advantage.
Hansen is aiming to finish a 12th consecutive Grand Tour.
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Quote Message:
Greetings from Gap, the Southern Alps' capital and home to France's 4th Light Infantry Regiment. And today is a stage for brave hearts. With Team Sky content to let the 23 riders in the break fight it out among themselves, the winner will be the man who survives the steep early part of the Col de Manse, gets his breath back on the easier upper slopes and then throws caution to the wind on the very twisty descent. It is 12km from the top to the finish line and the riders will be dropping more than 500m in elevation. Portugal's Rui Costa claimed a solo win here in 2013 but Tour historians will also remember the bend on the road - and mountain pasture - that did for Joseba Beloki and helped create the myth of Lance Armstrong's invincibility.
from Matt Slater BBC Sport at the Tour de France
Greetings from Gap, the Southern Alps' capital and home to France's 4th Light Infantry Regiment. And today is a stage for brave hearts. With Team Sky content to let the 23 riders in the break fight it out among themselves, the winner will be the man who survives the steep early part of the Col de Manse, gets his breath back on the easier upper slopes and then throws caution to the wind on the very twisty descent. It is 12km from the top to the finish line and the riders will be dropping more than 500m in elevation. Portugal's Rui Costa claimed a solo win here in 2013 but Tour historians will also remember the bend on the road - and mountain pasture - that did for Joseba Beloki and helped create the myth of Lance Armstrong's invincibility.
46km to go
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It really does look quite pedestrian in the peloton at the moment. They are 15 minutes back now. No surprise, of course, that Team Sky are on the front.
There has been an attack off the front of the breakaway group, with Adam Hansen, fit and healthy again, having a dash.
He, of course, eats pain for breakfast.
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Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
You can listen to live commentary of the remainder of this stage on the website and on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
Quote Message: We have 22 teams in the Tour and there are only seven teams who have missed this move. Edvald Boasson-Hagen has two team-mates with him, so it could play into his hands
We have 22 teams in the Tour and there are only seven teams who have missed this move. Edvald Boasson-Hagen has two team-mates with him, so it could play into his hands
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SMS Message: I took a mega-tumble at London 100 last year when a pedestrian ignored marshals and stepped in front of 14 of us doing 20+mph. Paramedic refused to believe I wasn't hurt after going over the bars and flat on my back, lady was knocked out briefly. I rode to the finish. No such thing as closed roads in the UK apparently. from Ian Spencer, Solihull
I took a mega-tumble at London 100 last year when a pedestrian ignored marshals and stepped in front of 14 of us doing 20+mph. Paramedic refused to believe I wasn't hurt after going over the bars and flat on my back, lady was knocked out briefly. I rode to the finish. No such thing as closed roads in the UK apparently.
Ouch followed by a double dose of the seriously embarrassing.
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SMS Message: Wilmslow town centre at a set of traffic lights, first in the queue and unclipped my right foot instead of the usual left. Lights went to green and I hit the floor. With half of Wilmslow witnessing. Slightly embarrassing. from Ben, Manchester
Wilmslow town centre at a set of traffic lights, first in the queue and unclipped my right foot instead of the usual left. Lights went to green and I hit the floor. With half of Wilmslow witnessing. Slightly embarrassing.
SMS Message: After a 10 hour day touring, my mate and I cycled towards the café beneath our hotel which was rammed. I tiredly unclipped and went to put my foot on the floor only to slowly realise I was leaning the other way. Cue the slowest bike tumble ever with the largest audience. We were treated to a bottle of red on the house for entertainment value though. from Ben
After a 10 hour day touring, my mate and I cycled towards the café beneath our hotel which was rammed. I tiredly unclipped and went to put my foot on the floor only to slowly realise I was leaning the other way. Cue the slowest bike tumble ever with the largest audience. We were treated to a bottle of red on the house for entertainment value though.
57km to go
We've left Drome, we are now in Hautes-Alpes.
It has been another fast stage.
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Serge Pauwels of MTN-Qhuebeka (aren't they having a great Tour) is the first over the Col de Cabre. Peter Sagan - yes him again - is absolutely flying on the descent.
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Pleasingly, Rafal Majka does appear to be OK and has caught up with the main group.
Taking a tumble
Well we have been discussing tumbles all day and now Rafal Majka and Paul Martens have joined the party, both going down on the climb up the category two Col de Cabre.
Majka, a stage winner this year, appears to have come off worse but is able to continue and is patched up as he makes his way down the road.
Listen up
We will have commentary of the remainder of this stage on the website from 15:00 BST. Simon Brotherton will be joined by Rob Hayles.
Rob is tipping Matteo Trentin to win today, Simon is going for Edvald Boasson-Hagen and the BBC's Matt Slater is opting for Peter Sagan - based on the law of averages.
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Who are they?
The breakaway are more than 12 minutes clear. Pick your winner from this lot....
Andriy Grivko, Christophe Riblon, Peter Sagan, Thomas De Gendt, Simon Geschke, Marco Haller, Markel Irizar, Bob Jungels, Nelson Oliveira, Ruben Plaza, Daniel Navarro, Pierrick Fedrigo, Adam Hansen, Thomas Voeckler, Michal Golas, Matteo Trentin, Daniel Teklehaimanot, Edvald Boasson-Hagen, Imanol Erviti, Luis Angel Mate, Pierre-Luc Perichon, Jarlinson Pantano and Serge Pauwels.
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No shortage of attention or protection around the Team Sky car and, in the background, bus at the start of today's stage.
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Swimming with sharks
Chris Froome must be starting to think that you can add cleverly (or in some case not so cleverly) worded questions that hint at untoward behaviour to taxes and death as the only certainties in life.
You get up, you eat your breakfast, you cycle all day through sweltering temperatures and then you defend the reputation of both you and your team.
It must get fully on his nerves but he always manages to seem very calm.
Perhaps he is just good at placing things in perspective. After all, he is not literally swimming with sharks.
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Didier is Laurent Didier of Trek Factory Racing. He has his work cutout if he wants to bridge that gap.
Why do doubts surround Team Sky?
BBC Sport's Matt Slater has been following the Tour for us - check out his
latest podcast
if you haven't already - and has written a piece about Team Sky.
Both the team and leader Chris Froome have been under constant scrutiny, surrounded by speculation and suspicion.
When the main bunch decides to let a breakway go, the time gap really does climb very quickly.
The 23 riders are now together and almost 10 minutes clear of the peloton.
Green jersey
More points for Sagan
By the way, no one will be surprised to read that Peter Sagan earlier strengthened his hold on the green jersey by claiming the 20 points that come his way for crossing the intermediate sprint at Die first.
94km left today.
Horse v bike?
We're heading towards the category two climb at Col de Cabre.
Bob Jungels has dropped out of the group of 12 chasing the leading 12 - there is now less than 30 seconds between them but the main bunch is now more than seven minutes behind.
No wonder the chasers want to bridge the gap.
Now, horse v bike - how would that one pan out?
EPACopyright: EPA
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It's sunny
Not far from the feed zone.
You may not be entirely surprised to read that it is hot, hot, hot again, with temperatures touching 30C at the finish in Gap.
Keep taking liquid on board...
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Good day for Greipel
Today might not be a day for the sprinters but I doubt whether that will bother German Andre Greipel too much.
The Gorilla is having a Tour to remember and claimed his third victory of this year's race when he sprinted to the line in Valence yesterday.
As his team have been quick to point out, that in nine Tour stages in total now for the 33-year-old.
107km to go
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The group of 12 are one minute ahead of the 12 behind them and five minutes ahead of the main peloton. Chris Froome shares a joke with a team-mate, but it's not Peter Kennaugh - he has abandoned.
Pretty much as you were then.
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Tough guy that Rob...
SMS Message: How can you ride a bike and NOT fall off sometimes? I've separated my shoulder, fractured wrist, cut my elbow open...twice. Par for the course. from Rob, Cardiff.
How can you ride a bike and NOT fall off sometimes? I've separated my shoulder, fractured wrist, cut my elbow open...twice. Par for the course.
SMS Message: I've been lucky enough to be taken out by 2 mondeos nearly 12 months apart. One writing me bike off along rotator cuff and neck/back injuries,the other,knee and ankle injuries with the usual scuffs and grazes!! I was once found in the city centre unconcious, think it were oil/diesel on the road. Waking up surrounded by 4 blokes makes ya think!! from Nick in Stoke.
I've been lucky enough to be taken out by 2 mondeos nearly 12 months apart. One writing me bike off along rotator cuff and neck/back injuries,the other,knee and ankle injuries with the usual scuffs and grazes!! I was once found in the city centre unconcious, think it were oil/diesel on the road. Waking up surrounded by 4 blokes makes ya think!!
SMS Message: In reference to taking a tumble on a bike. Filtering through traffic, car ahead stops suddenly, I failed to unclip from peddles and just flopped onto my side in front a car full of a family. Like a turtle stuck on its back I struggled around on the floor to unclip my feet. I could see the family almost wetting themselves with laughter. I eventually stood up, bowed to the family (who applauded the display of heroism) and cycled off. from Anonymous (ok Toby)
In reference to taking a tumble on a bike. Filtering through traffic, car ahead stops suddenly, I failed to unclip from peddles and just flopped onto my side in front a car full of a family. Like a turtle stuck on its back I struggled around on the floor to unclip my feet. I could see the family almost wetting themselves with laughter. I eventually stood up, bowed to the family (who applauded the display of heroism) and cycled off.
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Tricky those Poynton pavements...
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The lead group of 12 have a one minute 17 second advantage over the 12 pursuing them and more than five minutes on the main bunch.
The lead group comprises Andriy Grivko, Christophe Riblon, Peter Sagan, Thomas De Gendt, Simon Geschke, Marco Haller, Bob Jungels, Nelson Oliveira, Ruben Plaza, Daniel Navarro, Pierrick Fedrigo and Serge Pauwels.
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As mentioned, Jean-Christophe Peraud has been soldiering on every since he came off his bike heavily on stage 13.
My foot slid across my pedal this morning as I tried to clip in and I was thrown off balance, wobbling across the road. Hardly the most dramatic incident but it did get me thinking - every taken a tumble on your bike?
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Looks like we might have to wait a little longer to find out why Peter Kennaugh quit the race...
Green jersey
Today's intermediate sprint comes after 86.5km and is at Die. Expect Peter Sagan to be hoovering up more green jersey points there.
At the moment the top of that table looks like this..
1. Peter Sagan (Slo) Tinkoff-Saxo 360
2. Andre Greipel (Ger) Lotto 316
3. John Degenkolb (Ger) Giant-Alpecin 264
Priorities, priorities
EPACopyright: EPA
Peter Sagan - out in today's breakaway - has certainly had a superb view of some of the scenes of delight in this Tour, having finished second on four stages.
One of those came on stage 13, when BMC's Greg Van Avermaet out-sprinted him to the line in Rodez.
The Belgian will be riding into Paris, however, having pulled out of the Tour to attend the birth of his first child.
Good luck with that one Greg. Expect it to last a lot longer than a sprint finish.
Pop on the podcast
You can listen to live coverage of the latter stages of today's action on this very page from 15:00 BST. Simon Brotherton will be joined by Rob Hayles for that one.
But before tuning into that, make sure you listen tothe latest podcast,with Simon and Rob joined by Matt Slater. Essential listening.
Speeding along
Taking it easy before the rest day? Hmm, not so on the evidence so far. The lead group covered 56.4km in the first hour of today's action.
Green jersey
You guessed it, attacks from the off today and Peter Sagan is involved.
The Slovak sprinter, with a handy lead over Andre Greipel in the green jersey competition, is one of 12 riders more than five minutes clear of the peloton.
There is another group of 12 that are 45 seconds behind the lead group.
Chris Froome and all the GC contenders are not surprisingly in the main group.
Kennaugh quits
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We've had approximately 60km of today's stage and I guess the big news for fans of Team Sky is that workhorse Peter Kennaugh has abandoned.
The British road race champion was struggling on Sunday and has failed to make it through to the rest day.
He is the first Team Sky rider to withdraw this year.
Down into Gap
First though they have to negotiate the business of stage 16 - a 201km trek from Bourg-de-Peage to Gap.
There are two category two climbs and a fast descent to the finish.
The fact that the 8.9km Col de Manse is close to the finish should rule out the sprinters. Could it be another stage for a breakaway?
Ready for a rest
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Mark Cavendish slogged his way through Sunday's stage while suffering from a sore tummy.
Jean-Christophe Peraud has been ignoring his battered body for days after he took a tumble.
Everywhere you turn, you hear cyclists telling you how understandably tired they are.
Live Reporting
Paul Fletcher
All times stated are UK
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Latest PostTime for a rest
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.
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Prescient words
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."
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The sizeable remainder of the field has just pulled in - pretty much 30 minutes down on the stage winner.
Today's stage standings
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"
Gags from Geraint
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."
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Geraint Thomas remains sixth in the GC standings.
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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.
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Nothing like cruising towards the rest day. Nothing like that at all...
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And breathe. That really was an amazing last half hour.
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Bad day for Gallopin
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.
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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.
Thomas finishes
And here he comes - absolutely tough as teak, Geraint Thomas crosses the line. Amazing.
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The other Yellow jersey contenders contest a sprint finish as they cross the line.
Nibali finishes
Vincenzo Nibali crosses the line. He will have clawed a few seconds back but nothing too substantial.
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The talk is that Thomas is now just 40 seconds behind the yellow jersey group.
Thomas on his bike
Race radio is reporting that Geraint Thomas is back on his bike and riding again.
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I said Chris Froome was on his own in terms of team-mates, not quite true, he has Wouter Poels with him.
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Still no word on Geraint Thomas. Vincenzo Nibali is going to claw some time back but not a huge amount. Chris Froome is still with the other big GC contenders about 15 seconds back.
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Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
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Simon Brotherton
Cycling commentator
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No idea yet if Thomas is OK - or indeed back on his bike. Chris Froome now exposed.
Big crash for Thomas
Warren Barguil gets it wrong at a corner and runs into Geraint Thomas, who runs off the road and hits a telegraph pole.
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The gap between Ruben Plaza and Peter Sagan was 30 seconds.
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Alejandro Valverde - fourth in the standings, 30 seconds behind Tejay Van Garderen - attacks and opens up some daylight. Chris Froome has the trusty Geraint Thomas with him.
They are on the descent into Gap now.
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Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
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Vincenzo Nibali is working hard to claw some time back. He has 11km to the finish line. There does not seem to be any immediate panic among the riders behind him.
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Alberto Contador makes a move, Warren Barguil is caught. Then Vincenzo Nibali, more than eight minutes down on the GC standings, has a go and opens up some daylight.
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So, the yellow jersey group are on the way up Col de Manse. Expect plenty of attacks - particularly on the fast descent into Gap.
Yellow jersey
And as all the breakaway riders cross the line, we can now start to focus a little more on events down the road....
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And yep, another second place for Peter Sagan, his fifth of the Tour.
What does he have to do to win a stage?
Colombian Jarlinson Pantano is third.
Plaza wins stage 16
Ruben Plaza, 35, wins his first stage at the Tour de France. And boy does he look thrilled about it.
1.5km to go
Has Ruben Plaza done enough? If so Peter Sagan is heading for his fifth second place finish on this Tour. Remarkable.
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Simon Brotherton
Cycling commentator
2.5km to go
Peter Sagan looks in full pursuit mode. He has to make up 30 seconds in 2.5km.
3.5km to go
Ruben Plaza still in front. Peter Sagan chasing him hard and Colombian Jarlinson Pantano not far behind him.
4km to go
Wow, this chase to the line could go very wrong for someone.
The main group at the bottom of the category two climb is splitting all over the place.
There are about 15 or so riders in the group with Chris Froome. That could get tasty.
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Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
6km to go
Ruben Plaza locked his wheels on the descent. That could have been disaster. Lots of talk that tar melting on the roads is causing problems, with some riders incorrect thinking they had got a flat.
Peter Sagan then hits the same spot as Ruben Plaza and almost overshoots the corner.
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Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
9km to go
The main group hit the final climb and Team Sky's Richie Porte is swiftly out the back.
Peter Sagan leading the chase as the remains of the breakaway try to catch Ruben Plaza.
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Ruben Plaza is first over the Col de Manse. Downhill now. Expect this stage to speed up.
12.5km to go
Thomas De Gendt tries his luck, Peter Sagan snuffs out the move. Simon Geschke then goes. Guess what happens?
Imagine after all this marking and effort and determination, Sagan ended up finishing second again.
That may well depend on Ruben Plaza staying clear.
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Simon Brotherton
Cycling commentator
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Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
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Thomas Voeckler shapes to have a go but guess what - Peter Sagan is straight on it. The Slovak catches him and looks around to see who is next.
I think there might be nine in that group, difficult to tell exactly.
Ruben Plaza has a gap pushing one minute.
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Plenty of attacks coming now at the head of the splintered group of 21 but Peter Sagan is marking all of them. Interesting to see Thomas Voeckler in there.
Ruben Plaza still out in front, but not by far, perhaps 30 seconds.
Looking at 20 minutes back to the peloton.
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Taking a tumble
I think we might have winner...
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Ruben Plaza really does look like he is in pain, desperate to build a small gap.
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Simon Brotherton
Cycling commentator
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17.5km to go
Hmm, Ruben Plaza is now 19 seconds ahead. Is this because nobody wants to be descending with Peter Sagan?
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The group of 21 is really splintering. Adam Hansen and Marco Haller are about to be caught. Their bold move comes to an end.
Ruben Plaza now has a dig.
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Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
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Peter Sagan is driving the pace at the front of the 21 chasing Hansen and Haller. Does he want a stage win or what?
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Simon Brotherton
Cycling commentator
20km to go
Adam Hansen and Marco Haller have just gone through Gap - will they be on their own when they return at the end of this stage? They have just started the 8.9km climb to Col de Manse with a 51 second advantage.
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Simon Brotherton
Cycling commentator
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Of course, Matt's excellent analysis is dependent on Adam Hansen and Marco Haller being caught. They have a lead of one minute now.
Easy street for the peloton.
25km to go
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Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
Ominous...
But we've got a rest day first.
The peloton are now more than 17 minutes back so they've not exactly been full gas so far.
That said, doesn't mean we won't have attacks on Chris Froome from his yellow jersey rivals on the fast descent into Gap.
31km to go
Adam Hansen and Marco Haller have a lead of about 35 seconds over the chasing 21 riders. They are approaching the category two Col de Manse - but will they be able to get over it and stay away or will they be caught?
The chasing group don't look all that organised.
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Taking a tumble
Excellent question...
Post update
Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
Is the Tour still wide open?
36km to go
Adam Hansen is still out in front but he now has company. Austrian road racing champion Marco Haller has joined him. That could well be mutually advantageous.
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Simon Brotherton
Cycling commentator
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Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
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Adam Hansen is currently cycling at 48.5km per hour.
Hansen on the move
Adam Hansen is still working very hard to try to put some time between himself and the rest of the 22-man breakaway.
Hansen, of course, rides for Lotto-Soudal. He took a big fall and sustained a shoulder injury on stage two. The Aussie sure looks fit and strong right now. He has about a 30 second advantage.
Hansen is aiming to finish a 12th consecutive Grand Tour.
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46km to go
It really does look quite pedestrian in the peloton at the moment. They are 15 minutes back now. No surprise, of course, that Team Sky are on the front.
There has been an attack off the front of the breakaway group, with Adam Hansen, fit and healthy again, having a dash.
He, of course, eats pain for breakfast.
Post update
Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
You can listen to live commentary of the remainder of this stage on the website and on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
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Ouch followed by a double dose of the seriously embarrassing.
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57km to go
We've left Drome, we are now in Hautes-Alpes.
It has been another fast stage.
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Serge Pauwels of MTN-Qhuebeka (aren't they having a great Tour) is the first over the Col de Cabre. Peter Sagan - yes him again - is absolutely flying on the descent.
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Pleasingly, Rafal Majka does appear to be OK and has caught up with the main group.
Taking a tumble
Well we have been discussing tumbles all day and now Rafal Majka and Paul Martens have joined the party, both going down on the climb up the category two Col de Cabre.
Majka, a stage winner this year, appears to have come off worse but is able to continue and is patched up as he makes his way down the road.
Listen up
We will have commentary of the remainder of this stage on the website from 15:00 BST. Simon Brotherton will be joined by Rob Hayles.
Rob is tipping Matteo Trentin to win today, Simon is going for Edvald Boasson-Hagen and the BBC's Matt Slater is opting for Peter Sagan - based on the law of averages.
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Who are they?
The breakaway are more than 12 minutes clear. Pick your winner from this lot....
Andriy Grivko, Christophe Riblon, Peter Sagan, Thomas De Gendt, Simon Geschke, Marco Haller, Markel Irizar, Bob Jungels, Nelson Oliveira, Ruben Plaza, Daniel Navarro, Pierrick Fedrigo, Adam Hansen, Thomas Voeckler, Michal Golas, Matteo Trentin, Daniel Teklehaimanot, Edvald Boasson-Hagen, Imanol Erviti, Luis Angel Mate, Pierre-Luc Perichon, Jarlinson Pantano and Serge Pauwels.
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No shortage of attention or protection around the Team Sky car and, in the background, bus at the start of today's stage.
Swimming with sharks
Chris Froome must be starting to think that you can add cleverly (or in some case not so cleverly) worded questions that hint at untoward behaviour to taxes and death as the only certainties in life.
You get up, you eat your breakfast, you cycle all day through sweltering temperatures and then you defend the reputation of both you and your team.
It must get fully on his nerves but he always manages to seem very calm.
Perhaps he is just good at placing things in perspective. After all, he is not literally swimming with sharks.
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Didier is Laurent Didier of Trek Factory Racing. He has his work cutout if he wants to bridge that gap.
Why do doubts surround Team Sky?
BBC Sport's Matt Slater has been following the Tour for us - check out his latest podcast if you haven't already - and has written a piece about Team Sky.
Both the team and leader Chris Froome have been under constant scrutiny, surrounded by speculation and suspicion.
Rightly or wrongly? Make sure you read Matt's thoughts on the subject.
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Killing time
Taking time out
When the main bunch decides to let a breakway go, the time gap really does climb very quickly.
The 23 riders are now together and almost 10 minutes clear of the peloton.
Green jersey
More points for Sagan
By the way, no one will be surprised to read that Peter Sagan earlier strengthened his hold on the green jersey by claiming the 20 points that come his way for crossing the intermediate sprint at Die first.
94km left today.
Horse v bike?
We're heading towards the category two climb at Col de Cabre.
Bob Jungels has dropped out of the group of 12 chasing the leading 12 - there is now less than 30 seconds between them but the main bunch is now more than seven minutes behind.
No wonder the chasers want to bridge the gap.
Now, horse v bike - how would that one pan out?
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It's sunny
Not far from the feed zone.
You may not be entirely surprised to read that it is hot, hot, hot again, with temperatures touching 30C at the finish in Gap.
Keep taking liquid on board...
Good day for Greipel
Today might not be a day for the sprinters but I doubt whether that will bother German Andre Greipel too much.
The Gorilla is having a Tour to remember and claimed his third victory of this year's race when he sprinted to the line in Valence yesterday.
As his team have been quick to point out, that in nine Tour stages in total now for the 33-year-old.
107km to go
The group of 12 are one minute ahead of the 12 behind them and five minutes ahead of the main peloton. Chris Froome shares a joke with a team-mate, but it's not Peter Kennaugh - he has abandoned.
Pretty much as you were then.
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Tough guy that Rob...
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Tricky those Poynton pavements...
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Post update
The lead group of 12 have a one minute 17 second advantage over the 12 pursuing them and more than five minutes on the main bunch.
The lead group comprises Andriy Grivko, Christophe Riblon, Peter Sagan, Thomas De Gendt, Simon Geschke, Marco Haller, Bob Jungels, Nelson Oliveira, Ruben Plaza, Daniel Navarro, Pierrick Fedrigo and Serge Pauwels.
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Taking a tumble
As mentioned, Jean-Christophe Peraud has been soldiering on every since he came off his bike heavily on stage 13.
My foot slid across my pedal this morning as I tried to clip in and I was thrown off balance, wobbling across the road. Hardly the most dramatic incident but it did get me thinking - every taken a tumble on your bike?
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Post update
Looks like we might have to wait a little longer to find out why Peter Kennaugh quit the race...
Green jersey
Today's intermediate sprint comes after 86.5km and is at Die. Expect Peter Sagan to be hoovering up more green jersey points there.
At the moment the top of that table looks like this..
1. Peter Sagan (Slo) Tinkoff-Saxo 360
2. Andre Greipel (Ger) Lotto 316
3. John Degenkolb (Ger) Giant-Alpecin 264
Priorities, priorities
Peter Sagan - out in today's breakaway - has certainly had a superb view of some of the scenes of delight in this Tour, having finished second on four stages.
One of those came on stage 13, when BMC's Greg Van Avermaet out-sprinted him to the line in Rodez.
The Belgian will be riding into Paris, however, having pulled out of the Tour to attend the birth of his first child.
Good luck with that one Greg. Expect it to last a lot longer than a sprint finish.
Pop on the podcast
You can listen to live coverage of the latter stages of today's action on this very page from 15:00 BST. Simon Brotherton will be joined by Rob Hayles for that one.
But before tuning into that, make sure you listen tothe latest podcast,with Simon and Rob joined by Matt Slater. Essential listening.
Speeding along
Taking it easy before the rest day? Hmm, not so on the evidence so far. The lead group covered 56.4km in the first hour of today's action.
Green jersey
You guessed it, attacks from the off today and Peter Sagan is involved.
The Slovak sprinter, with a handy lead over Andre Greipel in the green jersey competition, is one of 12 riders more than five minutes clear of the peloton.
There is another group of 12 that are 45 seconds behind the lead group.
Chris Froome and all the GC contenders are not surprisingly in the main group.
Kennaugh quits
We've had approximately 60km of today's stage and I guess the big news for fans of Team Sky is that workhorse Peter Kennaugh has abandoned.
The British road race champion was struggling on Sunday and has failed to make it through to the rest day.
He is the first Team Sky rider to withdraw this year.
Down into Gap
First though they have to negotiate the business of stage 16 - a 201km trek from Bourg-de-Peage to Gap.
There are two category two climbs and a fast descent to the finish.
The fact that the 8.9km Col de Manse is close to the finish should rule out the sprinters. Could it be another stage for a breakaway?
Ready for a rest
Mark Cavendish slogged his way through Sunday's stage while suffering from a sore tummy.
Jean-Christophe Peraud has been ignoring his battered body for days after he took a tumble.
Everywhere you turn, you hear cyclists telling you how understandably tired they are.
These boys are ready for a rest day.