Simon Geschke is the first to hit the descent on the other side of the Col d'Allos, with 22km to go. Things could get interesting when the yellow jersey group reach this point - they're 11 minutes behind.

Image source, Reuters

The French have been deprived of a home hero so far in this Tour - which some are saying is the reason for Chris Froome getting so much stick from the French press.

Regardless, today could be the day for those whose allegiance lies with the tricolor of France, as Thibaut Pinot is trying to close the gap on Simon Geschke. 

Matt Slater
BBC Sport

"The race has calmed down a bit since Van Garderen's emotional exit and we are now in a bit of a holding pattern as the riders start the very long ascent up the Col d'Allos.

"A first-category climb, it's a 14km slog to 2,250m. The first half of it is not particularly steep but from halfway up it gets harder.

"But the Col d'Allos' real challenge is probably on the other side. The descent is notorious and it is telling that the race organisers put in place special measures today for the convoy of journalists, officials, VIPs and other vehicles in the race convoy - most of them were diverted off the descent to make sure the way is clear for the riders.

"Oh, the clouds are coming in at the moment, so it could be wet."

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Thibaut Pinot has decided it's time to get going and he's stormed up towards Yates and Kruijswijk. This is what we expected from the Frenchman earlier in the Tour - he has designs on a stage win.

Teklehaimanot is back in the main chase group, which TV are calling the Thibaut Pinot group, mainly because the Frenchman is in it. Now Britain's Adam Yates is pursuing Simon Geschke with Steven Kruijswijk alongside him - they're two minutes back.

Image source, EPA

I'm a massive fan of food in the shape of objects. This is a winner.

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Michal Kwiatkowski has retired. The world champion also announced this morning he will be leaving Etixx-Quick Step. So that's two departures in one day for the Pole.

There are only 35km remaining, but they're a tough 35km. Chris Froome, Nairo Quintana, Alejandro Valverde, Vincenzo Nibali and Alberto Contador are 10 minutes off the front. When do they make a move?

Image source, AP

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Daniel Teklehaimanot is doing his bit to get a few column inches for MTN-Qhubeka. The Eritrean's South African team are the first African team in the Tour de France, and he's out in second on the stage and is the one pursuing leader Simon Geschke.

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Matt Slater
BBC Sport

"Nothing like a gentle start after a rest day, is there? Not that the riders would know, as they did not get one.

"First cat-three climb - one of three mountain passes on the menu today - and boof, Nairo Quintana is off, stretching everybody's legs and sending third-placed Tejay van Gardenen to the medical car at the back of the peloton.

"An hour or so of very pained pedalling later, the American had climbed off and Quintana's team-mate Alejandro Valverde was up to third.

"TVG, as he's affectionately known, has been struggling with illness - cruel timing for a decent bloke."

It's all a bit all over the place right now. Jose Herrada Lopez and Kristijan Durasek have left the lead group to pursue Geschke. There are two groups about a minute behind respectively, and then the yellow jersey bunch are seven minutes off the front. No change to the GC.

There are 40km remaining - will Quintana, Valverde, Contador or Nibali make a move as we start to go up the Col d'Allos.

We have a chancer ladies and gents. Simon Geschke has put 30 seconds between himself and the lead group. The German's dad Jurgen is a two-time Olympic medalist.

Earlier we asked you whether Geraint Thomas (who I've renamed Granite Thomas) could be a team leader. The result is pretty emphatic.

92% of you said yes, 8% said no.

Somebody get a team cap on that likeable Welshman.

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Peter Sagan could almost seal the green jersey if he wins this intermediate sprint at the foot of the Col d'Allos.

But he's pipped by Benoit Vaugrenard in first and John Degenkolb. No matter, Sagan has a 104-point cushion ahead of Andre Greipel on the points leaderboard.