Greig Leach

Tinkoff-Saxo put the whole team on the front of the peloton and drove the pace hard, trying to shuck the group of as many riders as possible. The team believed that the stage was suited for their man, Alberto Contador, and they hoped to put Astana and Vincenzo Nibali on a back foot. Other riders with hopes of a high finish in Paris simply got into the slip streamed including the Rainbow Jersey of the World Road Racing Champion on the back of Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida), Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) and Richie Porte (Team Sky). For the peloton, the stage win was of less importance than getting a gap on their rivals so the speed they were putting in may catch the remnants of the early break, but that was not the sole objective.