Alberto Contador’s Tour de France chances took another knock yesterday as the Spaniard lost time to the big favourites, crashing for the second time in as many days during the second stage won by his team-mate and world champion Peter Sagan.

Slovak Sagan perfectly timed his effort in the final climb to pip France’s Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quick Step) and Spain’s Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and take the overall leader’s yellow jersey.

Contador crossed the finish line 48 seconds behind Sagan and the other top guns with the exception of Australian Richie Porte (BMC).

“The team worked well, it’s great to wear the yellow jersey. I’m a bit sad for Alberto but he is alright,” said Sagan.

Porte, another podium contender, suffered a puncture in the finale and lost 1:45.

Jasper Stuyven thought he had the stage in the bag after attacking his breakaway companions with 8.5km left but he was caught 450 metres from the line as the stage favourites launched their effort.

Contador, Tour winner in 2007 and 2009, hit the deck again on a slippery road as part of a pile-up also involving Frenchman Warren Barguil, German Tony Martin and Spain’s Joaquim Rodriguez.

After changing his bike, Contador was brought back into the bunch by several team-mates but he could not follow the best.

Sagan leads Alaphilippe overall by eight seconds and Valverde, who finished third overall last year, by 10.

Defending champion Chris Froome (Team Sky) and last year’s runner-up Nairo Quintana (Movistar) are 14 seconds off the pace in fifth and seventh positions respectively.