CYCLING:Nicolas Roche had a tough time very early on during the stage, losing contact with the bunch at one point but then fighting back after the top of the Col de Granier. Roche had weakened on Thursday's stage and appeared still to be suffering with that effort, but came around well by the end of the stage and placed 14th.

He is one place better than that in the general classification heading into today, and remains focused on trying to get back into the top 10 in the days ahead.

Dan Martin’s chest infection held him back again, he sat up towards the end of the stage to conserve energy and rolled in 91st. He is now 52nd overall.

– SHANE STOKES