The Team Sky Brit enjoyed a relatively secure day despite the high pace in the medium mountains and, alongside team-mate Richie Porte, sits in a strong position overall ahead of the first mountain-top finish of the race on Saturday – merely eight seconds back on the yellow jersey.

Edvald Boasson Hagen sustained his steady strength in the sprints to place fifth into Albi in a tricky bunch kick which saw the Norwegian boxed in on the home straight. A fast finish from Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEDGE) meant Boasson Hagen remained a tormenting two seconds off the maillot jaune.

After the finish Froome reflected on a tough stage and looked ahead to Saturday and the first big mountain showdown.

“I think most of us knew it was going to come down to a bunch sprint but we didn’t expect Cannondale to take it up the way they did," he admitted on the Sky website. "That made the race a bit harder but we were safe in the front with a few other guys. We’re glad to get to the finish and we’re a day closer to the mountains now. It will definitely be a fight on the climb tomorrow up to the finish. This is what we’ve trained for and we’re looking forward to putting it to good use now. I think we’ve got a well-established style of racing already. I don’t see us doing anything differently. Obviously in the heat of the race you’ve got to be able to make calls within those last few kilometres I’m sure it’s going to come down to that tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it.”