The last mountain stage of the Tour de France is here and everybody at the buses was claiming to be rather on the defensive than in an attacking mood with the Touemalet and Hautacam looming.

"Today we're in a position of defence, said Jean-Christophe Peraud and Romain Bardet's manager Vincent Lavenu. And it's more comfortable than to have to attack."

With an impressive Peraud in the last two days and in a position  of strength before the 55-km time trail on Saturday, the AG2R team boss is thrilled: "Jean-Christophe is extraordinary. At 37, he doesn't stop progressing. I have no idea how far he can go.He's heading towards a career like Jens Voigt's in longevity," he said.

At the FDJ.fr bus, team director Yvon Madiot readily admits that "it's going to be complicated for the podium now". 

"But 4th and the white jersey would already suit us fine," he said.

In the same time, Madiot recalls that Anthony Roux beat Jean-Christophe Peraud  at the French TT championships while Pinot had beaten Roux by 1:30 a week earlier in a similar timed effort in the Bayern Rundfahrt. 

Europcar sports director Andy Flickinger is also convinced that Pinot's time trial abilities are underestimated.

Pinot himself said: "Peraud is dangerous on 55 kms. I must keep taking time off my main rivals today."

Team Sky's Nicolas Portal watches the blooming of young French talent from a distance, having lost all ambitions for the GC "It's important for cycling and for the public. My son identifies with these guys," he said.

But he notes that this Tour is special with four of its major contenders - Chris Froome, Alberto Contador, Nairo Quintana and an in-form Jaoquim Rodriguez. Portal also believes French riders must still progress to be at the very top. 

"It's a long time since I've last been in a French team but what I know is that cycling has become a highly professional sport while in France it sometimes remained a cultural sport. Maybe it's changing."