Andrew Talansky has been the unluckiest of the favorites in the last couple of days, crashing twice in spectacular fashion in the finale in Nancy and again in Gerardmer on Saturday.

Yet the American escaped mostly unhurt and was still hoping for a good overall result in Paris.

"I'm surprisingly well. I escaped relatively unscathed from the crashes. I'm lucky to still be in the race when Chris Froome is home. The form is here, the team is doing great," the Dauphine winner said.

Talansky crashed on stage 7 and the American blames Simon Gerrans for the crash. But all the crashes he has experienced, he is still optimistic for a good spot on the final GC in Paris.

"Two minutes in the end is nothing," added the Garmin Sharp leader, who lies 16th overall.

Australian Richie Porte, the Team Sky team leader after Froome's withdrawal, was also in good spirits at the start in Gerardmer. Porte showed yesterday that he is able to stay with the favourites as he finished only four seconds after the yellow jersey.

"The hard times are behind us. Today, I hope well all stay calm. Today is a race for a stage win and the polka-dot," he said.