It’s fair to say, this hasn’t been Team Sky’s Tour. The team has produced the champion in the last two editions, but injuries and illness have seen Dave Brailsford and co rip up their pre-race plans several times over.

Chris Froome crashing out on stage five started the run of misfortune, the defending champion limping into his team car after his attempts to ride on with a fractured wrist became too much. Xabier Zandio followed suit the next day, with the Spanish veteran also crashing out to leave new leader Richie Porte down a key support man in the mountains.

And illness for Porte has cost Team Sky any lingering ambitions they had of fighting for the yellow jersey, with the Australian tumbling down the overall standings in the Alps.

However, with stage wins up for grabs, it’s clear the team hasn’t given all hope yet – Vasil Kiryienka showing the grit and determination they will need in the coming week by refusing to give up on the lead group.

He appeared to be dropped several time before coming back strong, and his third place on the stage was richly deserved.

If Sky are to salvage anything from this Tour, they will need their remaining riders to follow Kiryienka’s lead in the remaining stages.