I presume you’re referring to somebody other than the chap who put a big chunk of time into G in a hilly TT champs only a week or so ago and has climbed with the best in big races (unlike any other plan B on the team)?

*Waits for ITV

*What? No F5 button on TV remote?

Dave Brailsford said before the start that Richie Porte would also be a protected rider today as they envisage the necessity of changing leadership, shall Froome be too injured to defend his title in the coming days.

Questioned by France Television, Team Sky’s DS Nicolas Portal said before Chris Froome’s new crash at km 29: “Things could be better. The medical staff took care of him yesterday. He’s ok. We’re prepared for that stage. His wrist hurts a bit but it’ll be a question of mental as well today.”

Pretty strong breakaway group that if they can get organised and go for it. 30k to the cobbles though, would expect the pace of the peloton to pick up quite a bit.

it is looking a little damp, tour cars have their lights on, cant wait to see them hit the pave, should be interesting, we’ll see who has a cx/mtb history maybe. GC will change today.

Jepers, I see (well i am reading the live feed) that they are only now about to reach the first section cobbles. Could get even more interesting from now.

10k to the pave

it’s nuts out there! 😀

Looks like some lethal non-eyelevel road furniture, too.

They should have never left the UK 😛

My feed broke up, was that Kittel off and looking sore?

Yeah Kittel down but back up, looks like he’s after another bike though.

Kittel went down, looks like a broken pedal. I guess we will see how the DI2 holds up for winter 🙂

The Tinkoff Saxo kit looks just the job for winter commuting duties.

Sky hitting the front, have they timed it right?

if they can get through the first few cobbles unscathed yes

Blimey, more sky boys down. About to hit the pave.

carnage on the dance floor… i mean roundabout, and this is all tarmacced section, the cobbles are going to be lethal.

Spartacus down

Teejay down too. Talking of BMC, have a bit of a feeling about Greg Van Avermaet for todays stage but reckon he’ll probably have to stick with TVG.

froome down again and in pain.

Froome down, not looking happy..

This looks nasty

froome off again

Froome out?

And he’s pulling out I think

Does not look good. Not back on the bike.

Shaking his head. Looks bad. Gone.

froome- game over in a car.

aaaaaand he’s in the team car

… out.

As much as I can’t warm to the man, that is a shit one.

shit 🙁

He’s out!

Again, not his biggest fan, but that is a bitter pill.

🙁

I think the Karma Fairy stuck her wand through his spokes…

RICHIEEEEEEEEEE PORRRRRRRRRRRRRTTTEEEE

He’s gonna step it up big time, you heard it here first.

poo… one brit left? Geraint?

Poor bloke.

Sky risked it all on one GC contendor and it’s not worked out for them.

So – do Sky have faith in Porte, or do they let Geraint off the leash?