Richie Porte (Sky) slipped from second place Sunday after finding himself as Froome’s last line of defence early on after punishing ascents of the Col de Portet d’Aspet and the Col de Menté.

Reflecting on a brutal day, Porte said: “It was an amazing stage. Full credit to Valverde. He attacked so early and it takes a fair set of swingers to do that." 

“Yesterday was my day, but today was probably the worst day I have had on a bike all season. There are still another two weeks of the Tour, so I will look forward to moving on. We have got a recovery day tomorrow and then, hopefully, some sprint stages. My climbing form is pretty good. I have fought along there by myself. It was a hard day for everybody.”