Having spent several days at the back of the peloton due to several crashes, Arnaud Demare proved that he is still alive when he finished third in today's stage of the Tour de France. The Frenchman regrets still lacking confidence, legs and experience to beat the top sprinters in the race.

Perfectly led out by Mickael Delage, French champion Arnaud Demare earned his second podium place in this Tour de France, finishing third behind Alexander Kristoff and Peter Sagan in St Etienne.

"Mickael Delage believes in me even when I'm not at the top and he again did a great job for me," he said. "In the Tour, I lack a little bit of experience, I lack a little bit of legs and certainly a little bit of confidence.

"I made a mistake in the sprint. With 200 metres to go, I was in Degenkolb's wheel and I told myself I'd let him made his move before surging but in the Tour you must always go forward. I saw Degenkolb was stuck a bit while Kristoff was moving ahead. To win was very complicated… "

Demare's teammate Thiabut Pinot got safely through another dangerous day and now looks ahead to the two crucial days in the Alps.

"Chamrousse is the first real summit finish," he said. "This is the first big climb and therefore the first appointment for the climbers. I like Chamrousse which is long and steady. It is a climb where you can not hide and it pleases me to climb that we will do it in the Tour.

"The two stages to Chamrousse and Risoul over the Col d'Izoard can do damage, perhaps more than the stages in the Pyrenees because it will be hot, but we do not as a series of passes like in the Pyrenees, with the stages to Pla d'Adet and Hautacam.

"If I have good legs, I'm going to attack but I am well-placed in GC sp I will wait until the final climb, not earlier, it would be pointless.

"In this Tour, there is a rivalry between the French riders but it's not just in this race. Since last year, it has been so in all the WorldTour races. Nibali said that he has to keep an eye on everybody but especially on Richie Porte who is a great time triallist. He is his great rival."