Tour de France leader Vincenzo Nibali thanks Astana for protection

The Italian has been in the yellow jersey since the second day of the race and extended his lead on Wednesday's cobbled stage.

Thursday was about survival for the 29-year-old as he positioned himself comfortably within the peloton throughout the 194 kilometres from Arras to Reims, rarely venturing from the safe haven provided by his colleagues.

Nibali was pleased to have dealt with the wind and rain of northern France and knows he must maintain his concentration to remain at the top with the Tour's first mountain stage only two days away.

"It wasn't a quiet stage at all," he said after the stage. "On paper it should have been like that but nervousness was always there in the peloton because of the wind.

"In the finale in particular, we could feel it but I was well covered by my team.

"We achieved something big yesterday but now, I still want to take it day by day and keep my feet on the ground.

"I'm backed to win again tomorrow as there's a hill in the finishing town but I'll have to take into account all the elements of the race. I'll draw the conclusions of the first week of racing in Nancy."

Friday's stage is the second-longest of the Tour this year as they face a 234.5km ride from Epernay to Nancy.