Race leader Tony Martin withdrew from the Tour last night after confirming that he had suffered a broken collarbone following a crash in the final kilometre of yesterday's action.
Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara also had to retire from the race while wearing the Yellow Jersey earlier in the week having fractured two vertebrae in his back following a crash.
Team Sky's Chris Froome is now the leader, but he may opt not to wear the jersey for today's action.
Dan Martin will start the day in 33rd place overall and best of the Irish.
Nicolas Roche lies 69th with Carrick on Suir’s Sam Bennett in 176th
