So here's the sprint for the minor places - Michael Matthews goes for a long one and takes fourth, while the green jersey Marcel Kittel just cruises in behind in fifth.

The German does not really mind Matthews chipping the odd point here and there off his points classification lead, given it's still a monstrous one.

Thomas Voeckler and Warren Barguil have been caught.

A three-man group have broken clear in response now - Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step), Sylvain Chavanel (Direct Energie) and Alessandro de Marchi (BMC).

That's a big name group.

Those three are first through the intermediate sprint and will pick up the major points on offer.

Due to the brief nature of today's stage, the intermediate sprint comes after just 13.5km so they're about 2km away from it now.

Marcel Kittel v Michael Matthews again?

A group of about 12 riders are trying to bridge the gap to Voeckler and Barguil.

If they can make the juncture then they'll stand a decent chance of getting away from the peloton.

Team Sky policing every more on the front of that peloton right now.

If you've not heard of Direct Energie's Thomas Voeckler before, he's a cult hero in the Tour de France.

He's won four individual stages - most in this very manner, getting in an early breakaway, outlasting the chasing pack and then launching an attack to claim the stage ahead of his breakaway partners.

But Voeckler is also lauded for his two remarkable runs in the yellow jersey in 2004 and 2011, where he defied the odds and others' supposed superior climbing abilities to hold onto the maillot jaune late into the race.

In 2011 he fell short on stage 19, eventually finishing fourth overall. But then he came back and won two stages and the mountains classification in 2012.

Voeckler is set to retire after this year's Tour - can he go out with a final stage win on Bastille Day?

Image source, Getty Images

Team Sky's Luke Rowe gets to the front and looks to launch a move, no doubt to be a helper up the road for Chris Froome later on.

He's a marked man though and soon brought back.

No one getting across to the French pair Voeckler and Barguil so far...

The flag comes down and straight away two riders sprint clear of the peloton...

Who else? Tommy Voeckler and Warren Barguil.

The former wants the stage, the latter wants polka-dot jersey points.

Can anyone join them?

There has been a bit controversy overnight at the Tour. Shocker, I know.

After the end of stage 12, Rigoberto Uran and George Bennett - both in the top 10 on GC -together with Serge Pauwels were all penalised 20 seconds for taking bottles in the 'no feed' zone, in the final 10km.

Footage then emerged of stage-winner Romain Bardet appearing to do the same, but the Frenchman avoided punishment.

Cue complaints and the race jury today announced they were reversing their decision. Contentious jury decisions seem to be a feature of this year's edition.

Bennett has just been interviewed before the stage and said he had never heard of the rule.

Here's the statement from cycling's governing body, the UCI:

"In light of the inability of teams to resupply their riders before the last climb of stage 12 of the 2017 Tour de France due to specific circumstances of the race which had blocked vehicles, the UCI Commissaires Panel has decided to annul the penalties imposed on riders Serge Pauwels (Team Dimension Data), George Bennett (Team Lotto NL-Jumbo) and Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale Drapac Pro Cycling Team)."

The riders have just got under way in Saint-Girons on the neutralised roll out. The racing should start in five minutes or so.

Speaking of Bastille Day - it's the common name for France's national day, which marks the date in 1789 when a mob stormed the Bastille prison in Paris, helping to start the French Revolution.

Traditionally on this day in the Tour de France, home riders often go on the attack in search of glory.

Even regardless of that, third-placed Romain Bardet could well be one of the favourites for this stage - he mastered the steep finish to win stage 12 and is a fantastic descender.

And at only 25 seconds back, could Bardet even take the yellow jersey today?

Image source, Getty Images

It's a very short but very sharp stage today - a 101km route from Saint-Girons to Foix, about a quarter of which is climbing.

The riders face three category one climbs, with the Mur de Peguere featuring sections reaching an eye-watering 18% gradient.

Then there is what will be a rapid descent into Foix to finish.

The organisers are hoping this one will shake up the general classification battle even further.

There will be literal fireworks during the day - will there be some metaphorical ones too?

Image source, Le Tour

We have a Tour.

On yesterday's stage 12, race leader Chris Froome cracked on the final climb in Peyragudes and lost the yellow jersey to Fabio Aru as Romain Bardet won the stage.

About as chastening a day as Froome and Team Sky have had in recent Tour history.

They're sure to try and hit back today but it won't be easy, with Froome's rivals growing in confidence and plenty of attacking expected, especially by French riders in celebration of Bastille Day.

And the route is a cracker, too.

Here we go...