You may recall I mentioned a group of stragglers off the back of the peloton. Well, American Tejay van Garderen, who is third in the GC standings, is in that bunch, about a minute or so off the pace.

The peloton has completed the first descent of the day and Van Garderen will need to get back in the mix to preserve his podium place.

Image source, AP

So, the lens has been firmly placed on Chris Froome after a French TV station gave air time to an independent expert who produced some startling figures on Froome's performance

Those numbers were based on the final 15km climb at La Pierre-Saint-Martin on 14 July, which saw Froome launch a devastating attack with 6.4km to go.

Team Sky have since produced their own figures - which focus on the wattage of power produced per kg - and these look a lot more sensible. But there's conjecture over whether any of it means anything at all in the context of doping.

You can read more on it here and also take a look at Matt Slater's article on why Team Sky are getting it in the neck so much.

Image source, Reuters

That breakaway lasted about as long as an England innings at Lord's. They've all been caught. Although there are a bunch of stragglers off the back.

Meanwhile, Jens Voigt is on ITV4 talking about how he's now got a pair of love handles since hanging up the cycling gloves. The two-time Tour stage winner is a funny guy.

Image source, AFP

Chris Froome may be running away with it, but where would he be without his trusty lieutenant Geraint Thomas? The Welshman has been a tiger in the climbs, is sixth in the GC and got straight up after riding head first into a telegraph pole. 

Them man is rick hard - which is why, from this point forwards, I will be calling him Granite Thomas.

But should he remain Froome's understudy? We've got a vote up and running until 13:30 BST, let us know whether you think Granite could be a team leader. You can find the vote at the top of the page or by clicking the tab.

Image source, AP

A group of 36 riders have moved off the front of the peloton. There are no GC contenders in there, but polka dot wearer Joaquim Rodriguez and green jersey man Peter Sagan are up there. There's a 20-second gap to the peloton.

Image source, Le Tour

The Pyrenees are behind us, and now come the Alps. Today's 161km route takes in five climbs, but it does not get serious until the final third, when we hit the category-one 5.5% ascent up Col d'Allos. The whizz down the other side could prove crucial, with a more sedate uphill romp to the finish in Pra Loup to follow.

 "France's Romain Bardet won this exact same stage at the Criterium du Dauphine with a brilliant descent, but Vincenzo Nibali is equally gifted going downhill," says Geraint Thomas in our stage-by-stage preview.

Not much to report so far, with the peloton completely intact and heading through the commune of of La Tuilière at the 33km point. We're just beginnning the ascent up the first of five climbs today, the Col des Leques. There have been a few attempted breaks, but all have been foiled.

Image source, AFP

What did you do with your Tour de France day off?

If you were sensible, you would have followed my lead and put your feet up, watched day-time telly and eaten ice cream on the sofa (cookie dough flavour). 

If you were a Team Sky rider, or from almost any other team for that matter, you were probably being asked questions about Chris Froome and the legitimacy of his race so far.

We'll get into that, but first...