Joaquim Rodriguez came into the Tour with huge pedigree and yet was written off in all quarters with the focus on the ‘big four’ instead.

And while he lost time on the time trial and in the wind, stage three was perfectly suited to him in many respects, with Classics wins to his name already.

His acceleration on the steep pitches of the Mur de Huy was exactly what we have come to expect from Purito during his illustrious career.

Overall victory does seem a long shot for Rodriguez, but his second Tour stage win has brought him the polka dot jersey at least.

A shot for the King of the Mountains title, as we have already speculated, could well be in the offing because, as he proved on stage three, he is still almost unparalleled on steep climbs.