Inspired by his yellow jersey, Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe held off defending champion Geraint Thomas to extend his lead and win the only individual time trial stage of this year's Tour de France.
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Deceuninck-Quick Step rider Alaphilippe clocked 35 minutes over the bumpy course to beat Welshman Thomas by 14 seconds and Belgian Thomas De Gendt by 36 seconds.
Australia's Richie Porte, riding for Trek - Segafredo, produced a strong ride to clock the fifth fastest time of the day in 35.45, nine seconds behind De Gendt.
"The climbing part was good for me, but the last bit of flat I really suffered," Porte said.
But the time trial was a sobering moment for Briton Adam Yates, riding for Australian team Mitchelton-Scott, who slid down to 10th in the general classification after losing 2:08 on Alaphilippe.
All eyes turn now turn to the high Pyrenees, to see whether Alaphilippe can continue his dream race when the Tour ascends the legendary Tourmalet climb, the first of seven ascents to above 2,000m.
It's the highest the Tour is going in the 116-year history of the race.
No Frenchman has won the Tour since Bernard Hinault in 1985 and Alaphilippe says he was determined to do all he could to maintain his stunning form.
"I knew on that kind of course I could perform but I didn't think I could win. The route suited me so I told myself 'give everything, you have nothing to lose'," he said.
Belgian rider Wout van Aert is out of the Tour after a heavy crash during an individual time trial staged in Pau on Friday.
The 24-year-old failed to complete the 27.2-kilometre 13th stage after coming off his bike attempting to take a curve too tightly. His Jumbo-Visma team later said he had a deep cut in his right thigh.
Reuters