When he was storming to sprint victories in Adelaide and Oman earlier in the year, it appeared as though Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) was right back to his best.

And having come into the Tour de France on the back of retaining his German champion’s jersey, with his form back resembling his best after recovering from injury, few could have predicted his struggles at the start of the Tour.

But the German is nothing if not resilient. He has bounced back from kickings before, and he ensured – with a hugely impressive sprint – he did so again on stage six in Reims.

Lotto-Belisol have certainly put the work in so far at the Tour – long pulls on the front by Lars Bak have been a very regular feature. Greg Henderson crashing out on stage four, however, and Greipel’s concerns over the run-ins earlier in the race made it appear as though it just was not going to be rewarded.

The plucky underdogs when it comes to the sprint, compared to the might of Giant-Shimano and Omega Pharma-Quickstep, the Lotto-Belisol sprint train has been hugely impressive this season.

And the fact Greipel won without them on stage six, shows just what could happen if it all clicks into gear.