With all the beautiful scenery and scent of lavender, it’s important to remember that there is a race on!

The stage was won by Nils Politt who took a solo victory, while Tadej Pogacar retained the leader’s yellow jersey.

Politt broke away clear with 12km left on the 159.4km run to Nimes after being involved in a long-range 13-man breakaway. It was great compensation for his team Bora-Hansgrohe, who had seen the retirement of team-mate and three-time world champion Peter Sagan prior to the start, through injury.

Sad for the Tour to lose Peter, but Nils was a delighted man and lovely to see him on the podium.