Romain Bardet put on a great show in today's stage of the Tour de France when he attacked hard on the descent from the Col d'Izoard. However, the Frenchman refuses that he made the move in an attempt to distance his rival for the white jersey, Thibaut Pinot.

Romain Bardet and Thibaut Pinot are involved in a close fight for the white jersey in the Tour de France but until now Pinot has had the upper hand on the climbs. Today Bardet put the FDJ leader on the defensive when he tested his rival on the descent from the Col d'Izoard.

Infamously known for his poor descending skills, Pinot had a hard time keeping up with Bardet but did well to bridge the gap and avoid losing any ground before the final climb. However, Bardet refuses that he made the move to distance his compatriot.

“We've remained cautious in the first two weeks but today we've felt there was an opportunity for something big," he said. "We made the race hard. It hasn't worked on the way up to the col d'Izoard but later we managed to regain some time.

"I didn't attack in the downhill thinking of Thibaut Pinot. I fight against all my adversaries. I'm also competing against Valverde, Van Garderen, etc.

"I didn't feel that Valverde was going to crack but he suddenly put himself aside. Since the beginning of the Tour, today is the day I've enjoyed the most. Last year I was stronger in the third week, I hope it's going to be the same again.”