Far from being a relaxed day on the relatively flat 165.3km drag from Agen, the presence of Adam Yates in the early 21-man breakaway ensured the peloton was put under significant stress.

A relentless pace was set in the chasing bunch by several of the leading teams to prevent the Englishman, riding in support of Pogacar, from gaining any ground in the general classification.

Crosswinds inside the concluding 60km only added to the strain as splits in the race emerged before a chaotic conclusion.

As Belgium’s Maxim van Gils of Lotto-Dstny tried to force his way through as the sprint began, he shoulder-barged countryman Amaury Capiot of Arkea-B&B Hotels, resulting in several riders, including Cees Bol, falling heavily and causing a pile-up which forced Lotto’s lead rider and team-mate Arnaud de Lie to stop.

With GC contender Primoz Roglic having pulled out of the race after falls on consecutive days it proved a timely reminder of the perils inside the peloton.

Meanwhile, Juan Ayuso also withdrew during the stage feeling unwell after testing positive for Covid.

The Spaniard had been inside the top 10 on GC but, more importantly, was viewed as one of Pogacar’s key domestiques as the race heads into a brutal and crucial period in the Pyrenees.

On Saturday, the Tour takes in the iconic Col du Tourmalet on the mountainous 151.9km route from Pau to Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet.