Ireland’s Nicolas Roche closed on Chris Froome yesterday, moving joint second in the general classification of the Vuelta a Espana.

Welshman Geraint Thomas wears the yellow jersey into stage three of the Tour de France today after a chaotic opening two stages over the weekend.

Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas were grateful to emerge with little more than bumps and bruises from a crash as Marcel Kittel won stage two of the Tour de France in Liege.

Ireland’s Nicolas Roche, riding for Team Saxo-Tinkoff, lies third overall after adding a ninth-placed finish to his stage win on Sunday in yesterday’s third stage of the Vuelta a Espana between Vigo and Mirador de Lobeira.

British Cycling head coach Shane Sutton believes the loss of Bradley Wiggins for the Tour de France will “massively” weaken Team Sky but lift a weight off the shoulders of lead rider Chris Froome.