His Team Sky, including Ireland's Nicolas Roche, were second in the team time trial event – less than a second behind stage winners BMC
Dan Martin is best of the Irish in 31st with Roche 72nd and tour debutant Sam Bennett from Carrick on Suir in 177th.
The riders have a rest day today before heading into the first mountainous stages of this year’s race in the Pyrenees tomorrow.
