French hopeful Warren Barguil was one of the riders to impress despite little experience on the cobbles and he finds himself 11th overall after a Tour start that did not suit him on paper. Yet he said he was disappointed for his team-mate John Degenkolb to have missed a stage victory that seemed within reach.

”It did'nt go well. The result is disappointing. John is still looking for his first win on the Tour. When Martin went, nobody moved and I should have gone to fill the gap,” he said.

”I felt well on the pavés but I didn't take any risks. I was always well placed in John's wheel. I can thank him,” he added.

About his personal ambitions, Barguil remained cautious.

”We'll see after Mur de Bretagne and the team time trial whether I can aim at a top ten result. I must not get carried away but it's a satisfaction to be in this position after four days like these. I didn't crash. I'm unhurt. I guess I'm lucky.”