Alberto Contador seemed to briefly test his legs on the final climb in today's second stage of the Tour de France but the Spaniard never put in a real attack. The Tinkoff-Saxo leader was pleased with the outcome on a day when there was nothing to gain but very much to lose.

Alberto Contador looked like he planned to test his rivals when he went to the front on the climb up Jenkin road in the finale of today's second stage of the Tour de France. However, the Spaniard never put in a real attack and ended with all the main favourites who finished 2 seconds behind Vincenzo Nibali.

With a long flat stretch to the finish after the ascent, it wasn't a day to make any moves and Contador was pleased with the outcome of what could have been a dangerous day.

 “We had to be focused at all times, because it was a super challenging day," he said. "You had to stay in front for 200km and the team protected me very well.

"The finale was easier. I had to control Froome and the other rivals a bit. In the end, Nibali escaped but the important thing was to save the day. It may not have been visible on TV but both today and yesterday the tenaison was great and  although we are extremely grateful to the people who are on the road, there is a great danger. Going at 80 or 90 km/h a descent, the public need to stay away, there were people in wheelchairs, people with dogs... It is a victory to get through each day unscathed.

“The team has protected me at all times from possible crashes beacuse you can lose the Tour in a quiet moment. The finale was easier and there I had Rogers and Roche with me. I just had to be with the GC riders and I am happy.

“Astana had several riders in front, all with a high level, and Nibali has taken his chance. Behind there was no one who would sacrifice himself because nobody had teammates. Congratulations to Nibali and Astana.

“It was a good day as I was in a good position. It is always important to be there and test yourself a little bit, but today was not the day, there was no terrain, there was a long way to the finish line. It was a day to pass without problems and we succeeded.

"I'm well. I'm glad. I feel in shape and I think I will progress as days go by. I'm glad I didn't crash because I was not so lucky in recent years.”

"It was an extremely demanding stage and it's almost as demanding as a spring classic so it was only natural that a select group of favorites arrived in Sheffield," sports director Philippe Mauduit said. "Our boys did their job really well. The most important thing is to keep Alberto on his bike and he was supported ally he way to the final climb.

"Tomorrow, it's an ordinary sprinter stage where Astana are responsible for the pacesetting and eventually we hope to see a thrilling, safe and beautiful run-in to London where the sprinters get their chance to shine."