The Mont Ventoux stage. This will be key for the GC, while also being important for us. Can a Frenchman get a win on Bastille Day? Probably not, but anything is possible.

The peloton lined up before an extremely tough stage.


With the break winning yesterday, we think that it might be that time of the Tour. So, we sent Suarez into the break - which surprisingly included Valverde, and after some 'accidental' pacing from Michael the break got a nice gap.

Our tactic was not to work, in order to save energy for the finish. Valverde, Sarmiento and Barguil had the same idea. The people who did work tried several attacks, but just ended up wasting their energy.


We thought the break would win, but seriously!? No-one was taking charge in the peloton as the gap increased to 10'10 with 36km to go.


Despite not working, JPS was just not good enough to stay at the front on the climb.


Meanwhile in the peloton, I was with Robinson in the group behind the favourites.


He ended up in group Contador. I was behind and alone.

Back at the front, it was between Barguil and Valverde. Could the Frenchman take it for his country?


Yes! A win for the French on Bastille Day! Huge for the home fans, who go wild!


JPS came home in 7th.


Robinson finished well in Group Wiggins.


And I finished solo, in 28th. Doesn't seem great? Here are the people I beat by 3 minutes

Nibali, Rodriguez, Kangert, Gesink, Kreuziger, Moreno and more.

So obviously a good day in total, and it looks like we're on the up.

Of course another mountaintop finish. We'll try to get into the break again, maybe with Valencia. Wilco Kelderman currently leads the GC by 1'23".

Valencia started near the front, and was able to make the escape along with Moreno and Evans. He won the 1st climb (Cat. 3) as well as the Sprint by relaying.

He also won the next two, and although race radio said that Szmyd won number 4 but our man got the points.


Several riders attacked on the last climb. This put Valencia back into the peloton and caused lots of sprint. Me and Chala were in the main group but in a bad position.


We were dropped but I acted as leadout man on the downhill.


There was a 37 man favourites' group including us three, and we were chasing the other 8 escapees, and were 1'12 behind with 15.5km to go.


With 7km to go, I was in E8, with 11, and Robinson was in a 13 man E7.


The break was caught and Froome took the victory. Talansky and Rolland followed Kelderman home.


The sprint was too much for Rob and he finished behind Grp. Valverde, Nibali and Rodriguez.


Then I went in with the "peloton" of 16, including Mollema.

Not a really good day in all honesty, but we're not beating ourselves up. We're doing well for our level right now.

We'll try the break again, on this very hard stage.

Suarez got in between the break (including Purito) and the peloton, but couldn't catch up.


He was too tired so dropped back, but then he found some more energy and finally joined the break with 100km to go.


However he was then dropped on the next HC climb and then caught and dropped by Dan Martin - who attacked on the first HC.


I (closest of us to camera) was feeling absolutely amazing and the gradient suited me well.


Unfortunately we missed the cut, but still tried to catch up.


The win went to Purito from the break.


Robinson finished just behind Grp. Nibali.


And I came in solo just behind. A decent day but I was definitely hoping for more.