Robert Gesink coloured the top of the Tour de France's general classification a little greener Friday. In the 19th stage, from Le Bourg d'Oisans to Le Grand Bornand, the Belkin Pro Cycling Team rider was part of a big breakaway that was up front from start to finish.

He ended up seventh in the stage and climbed to 19th in the overall classification. With Bauke Mollema (sixth) and Laurens ten Dam (11th), Belkin now has three riders in the top twenty.

Laurens ten Dam said he still felt the effects of his crash on the stage to L’Alpe d’Huez on Thursday but felt better on yesterday’s stage even though he lost a spot in the overall. Saturday’s stage represents his last chance to claw his way back into the top ten.

"I felt much better than yesterday,” ten Dam explained. “I crashed in the time trial and I don't like to use that as an excuse, but my back didn't feel good and in the L’Alpe d'Huez stage, it was as if I was riding with one leg. I must say our osteopath did a superb job because it felt like I had two legs again today. Unfortunately I lost a spot in the GC, but I'm going to do my best to make it into the top ten again."

Robert Gesink has primarily been riding this Tour de France as a domestique but went looking for a stage win on Friday.

"Right from the start, it was a hard race and I went full-throttle on all the climbs,” he commented. “You always have a chance to win when you're up front. You have to believe in your chances. I gave everything I had and I was hoping for more, but unfortunately, I couldn't get in the winning mix. When they attacked on the last climb, I just couldn't follow.

Bauke Mollema has been visible suffering lately but said he was feeling better during Friday’s undulating challenges, helped in part by the easy start to the stage:

"It was a tough day. The last few days I had very little energy but today I felt much better. I'm very satisfied with the result. I did not expect still to be sixth overall after this stage. The stage started off easy, which I was happy with because it gave me time to get into my rhythm. I was able to hang on with the favourites until the finish, which made me feel good. I hope the worst is behind me."