It was not in the circumstances he would have expected, or indeed wanted, but Chris Froome pulled on the yellow jersey again at the end of stage seven, ensuring he will enter the second weekend of this year’s Tour de France as the race leader.

Tony Martin’s crash on stage six, and overnight abandonment due to needing surgery on his collarbone, meant Froome started the day as race leader, but not in the yellow jersey.

Now, however, he will pull on the maillot jaune with the chance to seal what has been a good week, amongst the madness, for Froome and Team Sky.

Alberto Contador’s crash in the neutral zone means, in stark contrast to last year, Froome is the only GC contender not have hit the deck during the first seven days.

Team Sky have done a great job keeping him safe, and for once – and for now – luck has been on his side.

The real battle will come in the mountains, but if Froome and Team Sky can avoid any time losses on the Mur de Bretagne and in the team time trial then he will boast a small cushion in the Pyrenees.

It is far from insurmountable, but the psychological advantage is there – his rivals will have to work to pull him back, rather than vice-versa.

As Fabian Cancellara, Tony Martin and many more have discovered it can all change in a split-second but for now, it is so far, so good for Froome.