Yesterday Vincenzo Nibali again had to realize that he is currently a step below Chris Froome and Alberto Contador when he lost contact with his rivals near the end of the queen stage of the Criterium du Dauphiné. Despite his obvious lack of form compared to the key contenders, he remains confident for his big objective at the Tour de France.

After a disappointing spring season, Vincenco Nibali has to salvage it all in the Tour de France where he will target the overall victory in the only grand tour he still hasn't won. In this week's Criterium du Dauphiné, however, his morale must have been dealt a blow as he has clearly been below the level of key rivals Chris Froome and Alberto Contador.

Yesterday he lost time again in the queen stage of the race. First he didn't react when Alberto Contador made his decisive attack and when Froome accelerated under the flamme rouge, he had no response either. In the end, he crossed the line as the fourth best GC rider and remained in sixth overall.

"My head told me to follow Contador, but my legs said no," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "The best riders in the world are all here but the differences are not huge. The Tour starts in 20 days.

"I feel better. This time I managed to stay with Froome until he accelerated with 800m to go. I couldn't take time in the overall standings, this is my only regret. But I am calm and I follow my schedule. Alberto and Chris are very strong. I still miss something but I'm sure I'll be there in July."