 For the second day running , a large breakaway group formed for the primary break of the day . A total of 24 riders , including members of 17 of the race 's 22 teams , were part of the group at its largest . The group included mountains classification leader Thomas Damuseau ( Argos – Shimano ) , who set about securing an unassailable advantage in the standings . He led over the top of the Côte de la Bréole , as the peloton allowed them an advantage of around three @-@ and @-@ a @-@ half minutes . Points classification leader Gianni Meersman of Omega Pharma – Quick @-@ Step was also among the group , and he took maximum points at the intermediate sprint at Jausiers to extend his advantage , but not enough to mathematically secure the jersey . On the Col de Vars , Lotto – Belisol rider Tim Wellens and Cannondale 's Alessandro De Marchi attacked , and were later joined by Travis Meyer of Orica – GreenEDGE ; Meyer was able to distance his companions for a period , before De Marchi , Wellens , BMC Racing Team rider Manuel Quinziato and Team Katusha 's Alberto Losada were able to rejoin him . 
