Chris Froome: "It's been nice to switch off and sit back a bit"

“A quiet day was quite welcome today after the two crazy days we've experienced and considering what's to come. It was nice to switch off a little and sit in the peloton, especially with the block head wind. Tomorrow it'll be a tricky stage. I know the route very well. This stage might have been underestimated because it's not an uphill finish but it has 4000 metres of difference in altitude and a critical final descent. It's a key stage in the middle of the Tour. It's been a tough Tour so far. We've tested every aspect of bike riding, on the flat, in the mountains, against the clock… I'm happy with advantage I have. It gives me a bit of breathe and space but there's still work to be done. I have no doubt that Nairo Quintana will attack me in the Alps. That's what we've learnt from him those past two or three years. He's usually stronger in the third week but Alejandro Valverde seems to be in a great shape as well. Other teams like BMC with Tejay [van Garderen] and Richie [Porte] will also be looking to move up to the podium. I have to keep a close eye on Bauke Mollema now. He's second so I have to consider him as my biggest rival. I was expecting Fabio Aru to be closer on GC at this point of the race. Five minutes is a big deficit to make up but who knows… Stranger things have happened in cycling. We'll keep an eye on him too. Maybe he has saved energy for the last week.”