Pasqua got himself into the breakaway today, alongside Wanty GC contender Guillaume Martin. The stage was very hot, making it extremely difficult, but Pasqua was happy that for a sprinter he can stay close to the best climbers in the world.

Guillaume Martin went on the offensive again. A big break took off from a fast start to the stage, with Thomas Degand and Guillaume Martin present. Degand rode his own pace on Montée de Bisanne. The front group was further reduced, with Guillaume Martin present at the foot of the final climb on La Rosière. The French rider finished 19th and advances to 24th spot in the GC. The whole team finished within the time limit. On Friday the third mountain stage will take the riders to the Alpe d'Huez summit.

Guillaume Martin:

"I tried to anticipate once more. Not because I had the legs, but because of my race insight. I knew the course and knew where I had to anticipate. I did not feel too strong, but accelerated at the right moment. I was dropped on the first climb, while a lot of non-climbers stayed in front. I was able to return in the descent, but that was not too good for the morale.

On Col du Pré I was dropped again, but I could return on the descent once more. We were 12 in the front group, but because of Mathias Frank's crash in the Roselend descent, our group was split-up. I climbed La Rosière as fast as possible. I hoped to be caught on the less steep part of the climb with 5km to go. I was able to follow Latour in the end.

I thought of the white jersey on the final climb because the gap was quite big. But I hope I will find my good legs again soon. Tomorrow I expect a battle between the favourites on Alpe d'Huez. I will see how the legs react on Madeleine because the fatigue is getting bigger."

ASO stage summary:

Geraint Thomas is back in the yellow jersey he already wore for four days last year. He won stage 11 to La Rosière-Espace San Bernardo as he overtook breakaway rider Mikel Nieve in the last few hundred meters. His team-mate and defending champion Chris Froome moves into second overall.

Check back tomorrow for more from inside the peloton at the 2018 Tour de France.