Third in 2012, Giro champion and Vuelta runner-up in 2013, there was great excitement when Vincenzo Nibali announced he would be returning to the Tour this season. However, the highs of last season have – so far – failed to be repeated.

The Shark has repeatedly shown flashes of his best form, attacking regularly alongside team-mate Jakob Fuglsang at Paris-Nice in what could be an indication of their Tour de France tactics. He was also fifth at the Tour de Romandie and seventh at the Criterium du Dauphine.

However, those flashes of form have failed to materialise into an overall challenge this season – the way Froome and Contador distanced him on stage two of the Dauphine will no doubt be of concern.

Nevertheless, Nibali will enjoy the backing of a strong team with Fuglsang and Michele Scarponi alongside him. And, having beaten a strong field to take the title of Italian road race champion, Nibali might just be coming into form at the perfect time.