Romain Bardet got safely through a potentially dangerous stage to Nimes and is now looking forward to the final battle in the Pyrenees. Despite the media focusing a lot on the French battle for the white jersey, the Ag2r rider refuses that he is focusing on his compatriot.

The French media are overjoyed that two of the country's most exciting talents are some of the best candidates to finish on the Tour de France podium. Romain Bardet and Thiabut Pinot go into the final rest day in third and fourth respectively and are also battling it out for the white jersey.

However, Bardet refuses the suggestion that he is focusing all his attention on his direct rival in the youth classification.

“For now, the final podium isn't a goal," he said. "Firstly I need to gain time my direct rivals because I might lose some time in the time trial. The climbs in the Pyrenees suit me better but I don't have a particular stage in mind. I'm not fighting against Thibaut [Pinot], he's a friend of mine! Why not finishing both of us the highest possible…”