The percentage today is more relaxed than yesterday. For a 30kph average speed by the stage winner, yesterday's cut-off would have been winner's time + 6%. For the same speed today, it would be winner's time plus 9%. I think they'll need it.
I've just done some maths and if (as reported) the Cav group finished only two minutes outside the time limit, they must have been given the +9% cutoff...
A.Schleck = 6h 07m 56s, +9% = 6h 41m 03s
Cav group = 6h 43m 36s
Rojas group = 6h 39m 13s
Based on a +6% cutoff, Rojas would have been outside the time limit too - by nine minutes.
I suspect they only enforced the rule to make the green jersey competition look like a contest.
No need, though - Cav would want to win in Paris even if he'd already got the green jersey mathematically out of reach of his rivals.
By the way, I wouldn't call under seven hours for >200km of mountainous terrain "taking their time"! My PB for a
flat 200 is about two hours more than Cav took yesterday.
d.