For his fellow escapees, the presence of Jan Bakelants (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) in the break was a bit of a kick in the teeth. Just 19 seconds back overall, the Belgian being up the road ensured the attackers were barely given an inch by the Team Sky-led peloton. But it was another reminder of Bakelants’ attacking instincts – and it worked well for him too as he shed six seconds off his overall deficit thanks to picking up time bonuses before finishing in the same group as overall leader Geraint Thomas (Team Sky).

His late escape on stage two of last year’s Tour de France made him a cult hero almost overnight, and his attack on stage five at Paris-Nice served as a reminder he is one to look out for in the bunch. As one hardman of the sport, Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) – a former team-mate of Bakelants, brings his career to a close, perhaps we are witnessing the emergence of another rider desperate to defy his screaming legs at every opportunity. His new-found army of fans will certainly be hoping so anyway.