Ruben Plaza wins stage, Peter Sagan second
Geraint Thomas falls into telegraph pole
Thomas able to continue and finish stage
Chris Froome retains overall 3min 10sec lead
British champion Peter Kennaugh quits
Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
Quote MessageIf 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?
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.
Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
Quote MessageThat'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!".
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.
Ruben Plaza is first over the Col de Manse. Downhill now. Expect this stage to speed up.
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.
Simon Brotherton
Cycling commentator
Quote MessageThe 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.
Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
Quote MessageBMC 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.
Image source, Getty ImagesThomas 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.
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.
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.
Simon Brotherton
Cycling commentator
Quote MessageThis 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.
Hmm, Ruben Plaza is now 19 seconds ahead. Is this because nobody wants to be descending with Peter Sagan?
Image source, Getty ImagesThe 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.
Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist
Quote MessagePeter 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 is driving the pace at the front of the 21 chasing Hansen and Haller. Does he want a stage win or what?
Simon Brotherton
Cycling commentator
Quote MessageIt looks as though the rest of the riders in that group are chasing Hansen and Haller hard - they can almost see them.
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.