IRISH rider Nicolas Roche (Ag2r La Mondiale) heads into today’s lumpy 178 kilometre leg to Aubenas knowing it is his best chance of chasing another high placing – or possibly even a stage win – before the Tour ends in Paris on Sunday.

The route looks tailor-made for a breakaway and if Roche has anything left in his legs after three weeks of racing, he will give it a shot.

He had a solid ride in yesterday’s time trial, finishing three minutes and 10 seconds behind Contador in 50th. He dropped one place to 25th overall, while remaining sixth in both the points standings and best young rider classification. Roche has had a very impressive debut Tour, with his stage placings including a second, fourth, eighth and 10th.