Thibaut Pinot was clearly suffering in today's mountain stage of the Tour de France but the Frenchman managed to save the day and avoid losing any time to his main podium rivals. The Frenchman was pleased to have got safely through what could have been a bad day.

Attacked in the descent of Izoard, a little less at ease than the day before in Chamrousse, Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) still took 4th place in the stage won by Rafal Majka and kept his 4th place overall.

"The main thing was not to lose time," he said. "It was my worst day on the Tour. I was on the limit in the finale. I didn't do as well as I wanted and I am tired. I rode within my limit. In the climbs I was a little behind. As early as the Lautaret, I had stiff legs from yesterday. But eventually I'm happy, I didn't lose time on Bardet, Van Garderen, Valverde or Peraud.

"It might be good that there is a homogeneous level behind Nibali. It's good for the show. Otherwise it would be a little boring.

"I  knew that AG2R knew the descent (of Izoard) by heart, they trained on it repeatedly. I told Arnold (Jeannesson) to beware of the descent. I was sure they would attack. This is a good sign for me. They know the climbs but they didn't take me by surprise. They try to make me lose by my weak point. But I have shown that I am not too bad. I didn't lose any time on them and it's a good sign for me." 

"In the end, I am satisfied. I fought for a place of honor. Bardet played the game with Péraud but I wanted to go for the sprint because he had stayed in my wheel. When Nibali attack, I have not tried to respond.

"There are five or six riders at the same level and there is a great battle for the podium. Today Péraud gained time, Van Garderen finished with us. It is not a 100% successful day. Overall, the results are good, certainly better than expected. Tomorrow we'll have a stage to Nîmes with the forecated wind but we'll see tomorrow. Now I want to recover and rest."