2016 Tour de France

['Dale]

Plenty of strength in this breakaway, and perhaps the name that stands out most is that of Rafal Majka. The Pole is here to support Alberto Contador but Tinkoff are also protecting the yellow jersey of Peter Sagan. Having Majka up there means that they won't really have to work in the peloton today, and if the break were to stay away, Majka would be a solid bet for the stage win.

['Dale]

Majka, by the way, is over 17 minutes down on GC, so he's no threat to anyone in that respect.

 

There are, however, four riders in there who are within a minute of the maillot jaune. Van Avermaet is 20th at 18 seconds, Pauwels and Sicard are at 35 seconds, and Gautier's at 39.

['Dale]

178km remaining from 216km

 

We've covered 38km so far, at a pretty brisk pace, and the gap continues to grow. It's currently edging towards the six-minute mark.

['Dale]

A swift pace sees the riders cover 44.4km in the first hour of racing.

['Dale]

The peloton, led by Sky's Luke Rowe, pick things up and start to manage the gap to the breakaway - currently at 6:40.

['Dale]

145km remaining from 216km

 

6:15 is the current gap with 71km covered.

['Dale]

The race situation is pretty sedate as riders enjoy the calm before the storm. The gap is holding at 6:45 with 40km of relatively benign terrain before the serious stuff begins.

['Dale]

 

To illustrate the calmness out there, the breakaway riders covered just 36.2km in the second hour of racing. That gives an average speed for the day so far of 40.3km/h.

['Dale]

Some action now in the breakaway, who are not working cohesively. Some of the riders aren't happy, and it's splitting up out there.

['Dale]

Grivko, Van Avermaet, and De Gendt have accelerated away, leaving the other six riders scrapping to regain contact.

['Dale]

This new leading trio has 20 seconds on the rest of the escapees. This will probably come back together but will provide a much needed shake-up, and a reminder that a lack of contribution won't be tolerated lightly.

['Dale]

 

109km remaining from 216km

 

Meanwhile, the peloton slip back slightly as they pass through the feed zone. Over 9 minutes now to the three leaders.

['Dale]

Despite having double the manpower, the second group on the road is either not as strong or not as united - or a mixture of both - and they're ceding ground to the leading trio.

[tombeej]

Despite having double the manpower, the second group on the road is either not as strong or not as united - or a mixture of both - and they're ceding ground to the leading trio.

 

Interesting move.

 

But better they got rid of the passengers if they want a realistic chance of making this stick - 100% commitment required from each person.

['Dale]

Interesting move.

 

But better they got rid of the passengers if they want a realistic chance of making this stick - 100% commitment required from each person.

I'm holding thumbs

Have one of the stage leaders on my team ????

['Dale]

The gap between the leading trio and the peloton continues to grow with just under 100km to go now. Still a fair way to go before the important climbs but they've giving themselves a chance here.