Record points classification winner says Jonathan Milan is the other main challenger but 'there's still a long way to go'

Route today with tricky uphill finish for sprinters to overcome - Fast men will target finish in Laval but could struggle on uphill drag to the line

A three-week Grand Tour will always contain natural ebbs and flows, and, for much of Monday’s stage between Valenciennes and Dunkirk, it looked as if the peloton had declared an unofficial rest day, with the riders happy to cruise back towards the coast after a weekend of wind, rain and intensity.

Tour de France kicks off on July 5 in Lille, France, with eyes on Tadej Pogačar for his fourth career title and second consecutive yellow jersey.