Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist at the Tour de France

For a GC contender you cannot really afford to be weak in any of your areas apart from sprinting.

If Bardet can improve at time trialling that will only go to improve his potential GC standing because he is strong at climbing and good in the peloton.

I hope he does not go too quick, too early because if he does he will pay on the climb towards the end.

Simon Yates is on the climb and approaching the second check - he's through 58 seconds down on the fastest mark but crucially that's quicker than Louis Meintjes.

An underwhelming Tour for Nairo Quintana comes to an underwhelming end as the Colombian comes through in provisional 27th place.

Image source, AFP

Warren Barguil in his unique polka dot skinsuit is holding his own, going through the second check 46 seconds down on the fastest mark of the day.

Image source, AFP

All early indications are that Chris Froome is absolutely flying, comparing his time through some of the landmarks with others that have gone before him.

Fabio Aru is through the first check 38 seconds down.

Image source, Reuters

Alberto Contador has absolutely smashed the middle section of this course and has just tied Michal Kwiatkowki's quickest time at the second time check.

He's ridden a negative split there, having trailed at the first.

Can the Spaniard find something in the latter stages to beat Maciej Bodnar's overall quickest time?

Simon Yates is through the first time check 47 seconds down on Michal Kwiatkowski's fastest time.

Loius Meintjes was 51 seconds down - the white jersey looks set to stay on Yates' shoulders.

Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist at the Tour de France

It is so close at the top of the standings - but I think the real battle is not about the yellow jersey, it should be Chris Froome's, he just has to negotiate this course correctly.

The real battle is Rigoberto Uran and Romain Bardet. Who will step on to the podium in second place?

Image source, Reuters

Chris Froome rolls down the ramp, just 22.5km between him and a fourth Tour title.

Audible boos in the Stade Velodrome mark his departure, the partisan crowd all for their man Romain Bardet.

The Briton won't pay any attention. His focus solely on this stage and perhaps even the stage victory.

Image source, Reuters

"Take the risk or lose the chance."

So reads the top tube of Romain Bardet's bike.

The home favourite is going to need the ride of his life to hold into second place. He could even fall off the podium if Uran and Landa put in stellar performances.

You can guarantee Bardet won't die wondering, though. The AG2R man will lay it all down on this course. Here he goes...

Image source, Getty Images

Here goes Rigoberto Uran. Very much the wildcard of this Tour and perhaps this time trial too.

The Colombian has ridden well in time trials previously. He's also under-performed in them.

He starts 29 seconds behind Froome - surely a bridge too far? The six seconds to Bardet will be the first mark in his sights.

Image source, Reuters

Froome and Rowe's team-mate Mikel Landa rolls out of the Stade Velodrome.

It's a very tough ask but could the Spaniard - fourth on GC - even grab himself a podium spot in the Tour?

He needs to make up over a minute on Uran and Bardet.

Image source, Reuters

Team Sky rider Luke Rowe, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live sports extra: "For me this has been the hardest Tour - I crashed on the first stage and it just whacked me, I broke a rib, hit my head and it really shook me up.

"For the first 10 to 12 days I was really struggling, so it's quite nice on a personal note to be here and to make it to Paris.

"I was in a bit of a mess but when you've got the yellow jersey in your team and you've got to defend it - the only way you go home is if you physically can't ride your bike or miss the time limit.

"If it had been another race, it might've been an early taxi but I had a job to do and I did it."

Here goes Fabio Aru. He's not got the most auspicious history in time trials.

It's doubtful he'll catch Mikel Landa ahead of him in fourth on GC and will probably be more worried about holding off Dan Martin to keep his fifth position.

Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist at the Tour de France

I think Simon Yates has ridden extremely well - he might be a little disappointed that he will only finish around seventh.

He has not really got on the attack too much, more followed others. But that has been the case for a lot of them.

Ireland's Dan Martin is the next rider off. The Quick-Step man has had rotten luck in this year's Tour, notably injuring his back in the crash that ended Richie Porte's race on stage nine.

He's battled to sixth on GC - and a belting time trial here could even see him leapfrog Fabio Aru into fifth, with the Italian 1'01'' ahead as it stands.

Now, here is Simon Yates.

Just 22.5km to sew up the white jersey and emulate twin brother Adam, who won the best young rider classification last year.

Will we see both brothers duke it out for white next year? We could see them duke it out for yellow soon enough.

Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist at the Tour de France

Chris Froome will be doing his full 20-25 minutes warmup.

It is all about activating those muscles, get them ready for his final effort.

Image source, Getty Images

Louis Meintjes rolls down the ramp. The South African needs 2'07'' to overtake Simon Yates and claim the best young rider's white jersey.

I'd suggest that is extremely unlikely, given their respective time trial pedigrees.

Still, it's been a very impressive showing from Meintjes at this Tour.

Image source, Reuters