Liquigas team leader Vincenzo Nibali, who has been rubbishing Wiggins’s descending ability in L'Equipe, set off down the steep descent of the Col de la Croix but much to his chagrin was unable to pull out any advantage on the Sky rider. Frustrated and perhaps a little chastened, Nibali then sat up to rejoin the yellow jersey group as they chased down Fredrik Kessiakoff, who led for a long spell, although they never really threatened to get on terms with Pinot, at 22 the youngest rider in the race.