Nice double for Nils Politt who takes the intermediate sprint at Uzes.

Few extra quid going in the Bora-Hansgrohe rider's pocket after he also won two KOM points earlier.

The chasing Julian Alaphilippe group has crossed the line 25 seconds behind.

Ineos Grenadiers hit the front of the peloton. Presumably they are attempting to take advantage of the crosswinds to splinter the main bunch.

But Tadej Pogacar almost single-handedly reins them in, pushing himself ahead of the British team and giving them a look of total disdain as he passes.

When I write nine chasers...make it eight.

Brent van Moer isn't going to expend any energy on this given his Lotto Soudal team-mate, Harry Sweeny, is in the leading group.

Just signs that the nine chasers have managed to stabilise their losses, which are holding steady at just a shade over 30 seconds.

This looks like a winning move for one of these four.

They've nicked 30 seconds off their former breakaway companions.

Stefan Kung is on the move with Nils Politt, Imanol Erviti and Harry Sweeny for company.

Will we see a winner come from this quartet?

Imanol Erviti is the next rider trying to zip off. No chance. Julian Alaphilippe follows his wheel the group are reunited.

Quite a bit of posturing going on here. Who is going to try and snap the elastic next?

Luka Mezgec now bridges across.

The BikeExchange rider is blowing after that effort. Stefan Bissegger is next to have a go. The remaining members of the break need to get organised here.

Oh hello. Nils Politt attacks and Connor Swift clip off the front of the break.

They are a long way from home. Still an hour of racing to go.

Few shots of Chris Froome drifting towards the back of the main bunch.

The four-time champion has come a long way since his horrific crash at the Criterium du Dauphine in 2019 but has not quite found the racing legs to take him to the think end of races like this yet.

Today's 13 baroudeurs have taken over 12 minutes out of the main bunch.

Even with that hefty gap none are within striking distance of the maillot jaune.

Colombia's Sergio Henao is a good 50 minutes off the overall race lead, while Julian Alaphilippe is almost an hour behind Tadej Pogacar.

C'est magnifique Mark.

Meanwhile....

Back in the peloton UAE-Team Emirates are riding on the front to look after the overall race leader Tadej Pogacar.

The Slovenian showed a slight hint of weakness on Wednesday but is getting an easy ride so far today.

Ineos Grenadiers are tucked in just behind.

The riders in the breakaway have gone over the only categorised climb of the day, the category three, Cote du belvedere de Tharaux.

Nils Politt was the first over the top to collect two points, while Stefan Kung took the other KOM point on offer.

In terms of the green jersey competition, here are the scores on the doors:

1. Mark Cavendish, 218 points

2. Michael Matthews, 160 points

3. Jasper Philipsen, 142 points

4. Sonny Colbrelli, 138 points

5. Julian Alaphilippe, 119 points

There is an intermediate sprint a tad under 30km from the end of stage 12.

Those points should also be mopped up by this group.

Image source, Getty Images

Lotto Soudal's all-rounder Harry Sweeny, turns 23 tomorrow.

Will the Australian be able to celebrate his birthday early with a win today? He's going well in the break.

That said he might need to dislodge some of the fast finishers like Andre Griepel and Luka Mezgec.

Edvald Boasson Hagen can shift a bit as well.