Warren Barguil raced to 10th as Romain Bardet took the second French stage win in the Tour de France. The leading position of Christopher Froome wasn’t endangered.

The second Alpine stage in the Tour de France went from Gap to Saint-Jean de-Maurienne, as the riders had to challenge seven climbs and 186.5km. Again a large breakaway group left early in the stage and Georg Preidler was included.

Team Sky and Team Giant-Alpecin did much of the chase work because three riders in the top 15 of the GC were in the escape, which was a possible threat for the 10th position of Warren Barguil in the GC.

On the penultimate ascent of the day, the Col du Glandon, Warren Barguil attacked from the yellow jersey group, shortly after Georg Preidler was caught back. In the descent that followed the yellow jersey group swallowed up Warren Barguil again and Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) escaped from the breakaway group.

On the Lacets de Montvernier Warren Barguil was dropped and rode his own pace to the top. After a strong descent he returned to the group with 4km and even won the sprint to finish 10th. After a strong solo Bardet took the second French stage win. The lead of Christopher Froome (Team Sky) was not endangered. Warren Barguil is now 11th in the GC.

After the stage Warren Barguil said “I was not in the break and because there were a lot of competitors for my GC position my teammates spent a lot of energy to control the gap.

"I attacked on Col de Glandon and got away. A strong Contador was there but the cooperation was not optimal.

"It's a shame because they looked a little bit too much at each other. They were not trying to go hard, to get a gap and change the race. I did most of the work. Only Contasdro was really riding hard.

“On the final climb I couldn’t follow the GC group, but in the descent that followed I gave my utmost and could return. I am happy that I finished in the GC group and won the sprint for the 10th place.

"I tried to play with Mollema. I created gaps and then I attacked and came back. He was bluffing a bit. I managed to get back to the leading group.

"There are two days in the Alps left and I will give everything to regain my top 10 position in the GC,” Barguil said.