The key moment of the third day of the Tour lasted for little more than a nano-second - but how crucial it could prove.

It was the split second that enabled Scotland's David Millar to retain the yellow jersey - and become the first Briton to wear it for three days in a row.

As the riders entered the last two kilometres of the stage in Nantes, there was a pile-up in the road in front of Millar.

But in that briefest of moments he was able to steer his bike into the straw bails at the side of the road - instead of into the bodies strewn in his path.

Millar was catapulted over the handlebars and landed on his back, but the bails softened the blow and prevented him from being cut to ribbons.

He was straight back on his bike and was quickly able to catch up with the pack and preserve his overall lead.

It was partly instinctive and partly luck - and it all happened in the blink of an eye.

But it was enough to keep Millar's Tour alive.