From the start of the stage, it was clear the Team BikeExchange had a plan to be aggressive, hitting the early category 2 climb with pace and forcing a group containing Australian Michael Matthews clear at the front of the race.
As the stage continued, Matthews dropped back to grupetto to save his energy for another day, but Colbrelli maintained in the chasing group behind O’Connor, eventually riding to third on the stage after overtaking riders late on the climb to Tignes.
I then felt good legs and continued to try and fight for the team classification.
I’m delighted I’m still on the race… But the worst part is there are many days like this to come.
“In the last couple of years, watching the race on TV, I was a bit jealous that Deceuninck-QuickStep always got someone dropped to take care of their sprinter while, in my last participation, I was left to my own devices.
Cavendish kept his green jersey, thanks to an impressive points buffer that he built over the course of his two early stage wins.
The Tour de France will take a well-earned rest day, before returning with an expected sprint stage, 191 kilometre stage from Albertville to Valence.