The agony and ecstasy of Tour de France 'ride'

It's a lazy, flat 238-kilometer stage through the midlands of France and we've already hauled in two breakaways.

We're halfway through and I take a little time out to enjoy the sunflower fields and marvel at those wonderful French chateaus.

I am not going to win the Tour because I am not the main man. I am a domestique. I know that sounds like I am a maid, but it actually means that I do all the dirty work for the stud of the team - like giving him water, hauling in breakaways and also leading our star sprinter in the final kilometer.