The presence of a sharp, category three climb just 23km from the finish of stage 13 did not prevent it from falling into the clutches of the sprinters.
Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) completed a hat-trick of victories by pipping green jersey holder, Peter Sagan (Liquigas Cannondale) on the line, with Team Sky’s hugely talented all-rounder, Edvald Boasson Hagen, a close third.
Boasson Hagen’s race-leading team-mate, Bradley Wiggins, played his part in the Norwegian’s podium finish, leading him out in the closing kilometre.
Here are some of the key moments of the stage, captured through the lens of official UCI WorldTour photographer, Stefano Sirotti.
The podium awaits the day’s victorious riders
An expectant crowd awaits the riders in Le Cap d’Agde
Andre Greipel and Peter Sagan reward those who have waited all day with an impossibly close finish
Bradley Wiggins makes the now familiar walk to the Tour de France podium to be presented with a fresh yellow jersey
No prizes for guessing the winner of this prize: the yellow sleeve offers a clue
