Dan Martin’s hopes of a podium finish at the Tour de France were thrown off course yesterday when crosswinds decimated the field and he was one of the big losers on the 165-kilometre stage 16 from Le Puy-en-Velay to Romans sur Isere.

An Irish journalist has said he felt “more amused than threatened” after Team Sky boss Dave Brailsford yesterday attempted to block the reporter from the team’s media event over unfavourable coverage of his evasive attitude to the press.

Dan Martin sits just 72 seconds off the lead of the Tour de France, but the Irishman could hardly be more relaxed as he insists it is just another bike race.