Stage 19: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne - La Toussuire 138km
Quintana gains 32secs on Froome
Froome still leads by 2mins 38secs
Nibali wins stage, Quintana second, Froome third
Team Sky's Richie Porte is off the back of the yellow jersey group. He looks shattered but has enough energy to hand a bottle to a spectator.
And that's Geraint Thomas struggling to keep up too. Chris Froome is starting to look isolated...
Image source, Getty ImagesThe game is afoot - again. Vincenzo Nibali's Astanah ave upped the pace at the front of the yellow jersey group. It's not enough to cause damage, but it's a display of intent as the inclines become tastier.
Pierre Rolland meanwhile is more than minute in front of the lead group, all on his tod.
#bbccycling
You're all making me want to get out on my bike. What is the best view you've seen from the saddle? #bbccycling
Not content with coming second yesterday, Pierre Rolland has gone for a jaunt off the lead pack and is out in front. The Europcar man is almost 30 seconds in the clear.
Riders are fluttering off the lead group like dying leaves in autumn. Tony Gallopin has now gone all the way back the yellow jersey group, Tim Wellens is just ahead and Jarlinson Pantano is falling off too.
There are 19 in the lead group, including Joaquim Rodriguez, Romain Bardet, Pierre Rolland and Steve Cummings. The gap to the peloton is 2mins 46 secs.
#bbccycling
So many lush pictures. We want your best views from your bike. Use #bbccycling
#bbccycling
Image source, APTony Adamson: If I were Movistar: make Valverde attack on Croix, hold Nairo back. Leave Froome a hard choice who to cover... What's your view?
It's a decent plan, but can Valverde escape? What does everyone else think? Use #bbccycling
Image source, ReutersEven if you've only ever driven these mountain roads, rather than cycled them, you'll know how taxing they are.
Lotto-NL Jumbo are tugging along the yellow jersey group and Team Sky are sitting in just behind. So far, it's a much more sedate scenario for Chris Froome than the first climb.
Lotto-Soudall pair Tim Wellens and Tony Gallopin have fallen off the back of the lead group. Behind them by about two minutes is the yellow jersey group, who have just dropped Mark Cavendish and Andre Greipel.
#bbccycling
Can you beat that view? Send us your cycling views to #bbccycling
The climb up Col de la Croix de Fer is ridiculous. It's a hors category 22.4km ascent at an average 6.9% incline. I'm dizzy just thinking about it.
Image source, ReutersThere are fears that Movistar might protect their current hold on second and third, and not let Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde attack Froome. The Spanish team are having none of it...
Quote Message"Second and third, it looks good on paper. But it's not enough for us. We came for winning and the whole has been working for three weeks to make Nairo a winner. Unfortunately, there was this special stage in Zealand where Nairo lost one and half minute. Three minutes deficit is a lot, but in the two coming stages, failures can happen. We've seen it in the past. Those two hard stages are made to create differences. We have no choice but attack. However we have to do it smartly. Nairo is motivated. We keep the hope."
Movistar directeur sportif Jose Luis Arrieta speaking to LeTour.com
The breakaway are a friendly bunch. They waited for Tim Wellens and he promptly takes up a position on the front. That pulls the peloton closer to about 1min 42secs as we start our way up Col de la Croix de Fer.
#bbccycling
Some gorgeous landscapes from your rides. Keep them coming by using #bbccycling
Tim Wellens, part of the breakaway, has gone down like a sack of spuds while trying to get hold of a food bag. He's straight back up though and the doctor is having a look at him while he goes.
#bbccycling
The power of the internet. After seeking your help, a million of you have told me that it's a new lion every day, which saddens me somewhat.
Rebecca: I believe it's a new one, and the bus drivers compete to see who can get the most toys on the dash
Philip: The Lions are new each day, and the drivers of the team buses have a competition to see who has the most in their windscreen!
Image source, Getty ImagesCatch your breath folks. This is as quiet as it's going to be today.
There are 22 riders in a lead group, which includes Briton Steve Cummings, as well as Joaquim Rodriguez, Michael Rogers, Pierre Rolland and Romain Bardet. Everyone else is 2mins 13secs back.
We have a few minutes until we start the climb up the beast that is Col de la Croix de Fer.
Like any good journalist, I'm about to get you guys to do my job for me.
The lion Chris Froome is presented with at the end of each stage he wears yellow - is that a new lion, or the same one each time? I have a feeling it's a new one.
I can imagine that giving up the cuddly toy might be more emotionally crushing than handing over the maillot jaune if you were to surrender the lead.
Anyway, if you know the answer, use #bbccycling to tell me. Cheers