As defending champion, Chris Froome will lead the team at the Tour as he bids to make it two wins in a row for himself and three for the team.

His predecessor in the maillot jaune, Sir Bradley Wiggins, will not be there however – according to the Londoner, at least.

It is a saga which has rumbled on ever since Froome’s attack on La Toussuire at the 2012 Tour de France. Though called back by then-DS Sean Yates, the move soured relationships between the two and the public spat means they have not ridden together all season.

Wiggins said he will not ride the Tour as it stood prior to the Dauphine – though even that has not been straightforward.

Froome’s crash, while in the yellow jersey, and subsequent loss of form in the last two days raised questions over whether he would be in the right condition for the Tour.

A strong ride from Wiggins, the Tour of California winner, in Switzerland would certainly have made things interesting. Cue a crash for Wiggins, too, after a chest infection had already forced him well behind the pace in the early stages.

Froome’s fitness remains unclear, but the shows of strength he delivered early in the Dauphiné mean, if he is back to full fitness, Sky can at least be optimistic of a third maillot jaune.