Yesterday Thiabut Pinot lost almost a minute as he was one of the GC riders to have been caught out in the crosswinds. Today his FDJ team stayed attentive all day and helped their captain reach the finish safely.

It was no surprise to see Thibaut Pinot lose time in yesterday's crosswinds as the French climber is not a fan of the fight for position. Today his team faced another dangerous stage where the wind could again potentially affect the outcome.

Having learned their lesson, FDJ stayed near the front for most of the day and Pinot was often seen in the top positions of the bunch. Sports director Yvon Madiot was pleased to see the team respond well to yesterday's disappointment.

"We had a debriefing Thursday night after dinner," he said. "It was a discussion that had its effect. The team rode as a well-oiled machine.

"Finally a stage where we avoided the crashes. Things are better for Arnaud Demare who has been suffering in recent days. He has pain when sitting on the saddle."