John Degenkolb (Argos-Shimano) was one of the sprinters who was able to stay with the leading group as Cannondale tried to drop as many of Peter Sagan’s rivals as possible on today’s stage.

Although he wasn’t entirely happy with his runner-up spot, Degenkolb gracefully acknowledged Sagan’s superiority.

"I was suffering on the climbs when Cannondale put the hammer down, they rode hard,” was Degenkolb’s explanation. “But I hung on and felt good after that. The boys did a great job to keep me out of the wind and then bring me into a good position for the sprint but at the end Sagan was just too strong. Second place isn't a nice place to finish but when it is the Tour de France you have to be happy with that. It shows I have prepared well and I will hopefully have another opportunity to go for the win."