The Launceston rider finished the 187.5-kilometre stage from Dole to Station des Rousses in 17^th to maintain his fifth place overall.

But his trusty support riders Greg Van Avermaet and Nicolas Roche spent plenty of energy chasing the victory eventually claimed by Frenchman Lilian Calmejane (Direct Energie).

Porte admitted he was concerned what legacy that effort will have in a brutal ninth stage into the Alps.

"I think tomorrow, we'll feel that one in the legs for sure,” said the 32-year-old.

“They chased pretty hard behind and it didn't quite work out. We're going to have to go all in tomorrow. It's such a hard day and everyone had a pretty solid day today so I think there will be some tired legs. It was a pretty wild stage. I think we averaged 46km for the first hour so it was pretty solid racing with the climbs we had."

Stage: 1 Lilian Calmejane (Fra, Direct Energie) 4:30:29, 2 Robert Gesink (Ned, LottoNl-Jumbo) +37, 3 Guillaume Martin (Fra, Wanty-Groupe Gobert) +50, 4 Nicolas Roche (Ire, BMC) same time, 5 Roman Kreuziger (Cze, Orica-Scott) st.

General classification: 1 Chris Froome (GB, Sky) 33:19:10, 2 Geraint Thomas (GB, Sky) +12, 3 Fabio Aru (Ita, Astana) +14, 4 Daniel Martin (Ire, Quick-Step Floors) +25, 5 Richie Porte (Aus, BMC) +39.