Nacer Bouhanni’s first ever Grand Tour victory may have been overshadowed slightly by the circumstances in which it arrived, but the manner of the Frenchman’s win was certainly one worth celebrating. Bouhanni’s chances of a stage win appeared to be over when a very ill-timed mechanical, on the penultimate lap, saw him lose contact with the back of the bunch just as the pace was finally increasing.

But a stunning effort to get back on, buoyed by the incredible efforts of his team-mates – and the drafting of a few team cars and motor bikes – saw him rejoin in time for the final lap. Even then, victory still seemed a long way away with the bunch so strung out, but again the team put in a big shift for their leader. Despite initially missing the split, which saw four Giant-Shimano riders go clear, Bouhanni latched back on and had enough in the tank to chase down Tom Veelers, and pass him for a fine win.

The effort it took was clear as he clambered off his bike and onto the tarmac at the finish. At just 23, Bouhanni will certainly be hoping this is the first of many.