Speaking earlier today, Michal Kwiatkowski has revealed how he is battling through sickness to try and help Sky leader Chris Froome win the Dauphine. 

“Kwiato” attacked early on stage two but made little progress into the breaks lead and he was then caught and dropped by a group of five riders just a few kilometres later, indicating his lack of strength.

“It was very difficult out there today,” he told Cyclingnews. “I don’t know how the stage finished. It was just a very, very difficult day. "I think I’m on the way to preparing for the Tour and the rest of the season. I’ve made a nice programme and I felt great on the first and second stages but today I felt a bit sick in my lungs. I don’t know what it is but I need to see the doctor.”

Kwiatkowski, who has been fairly disappointing this season after winning E3 Harelbeke, said he will continue to race unless a doctor advises him not to.

“I’ll carry on in the race but I hope it’s nothing serious,” he said. “I lost my voice and have a cough in my lungs. Other than that I think I’m where I need to be.”