Sky defend Nicolas Roche’s time trial display

Team Sky’s riders and management have staunchly defended the performance of Nicolas Roche following Sunday’s near miss at a stage win on the ninth day of the Tour de France.

And the Irishman also cut a more optimistic figure yesterday than the one who was stunned after losing out by 0.62 of a second following the 28-kilometre team time-trial from Vannes to Plumelec.

Roche cracked as the finish line loomed which meant the remaining Team Sky men had to wait for him, slowing down by enough to come second to winners BMC.