Rui Costa (Movistar) had been placed in the top ten on GC until forced to sacrifice himself to help team leader Alejandro Valverde in the crosswinds on stage 13.
However, the Portuguese, twice a winner of the Tour de Suisse, knows how to handle lumpy terrain, and was repaid for his commitment by being allowed to join the break on stage 16.
And from an escape group of 26 riders, he proved himself the strongest of all, soloing to victory in Gap with a perfectly timed attack.
See how the 168km from Vaison-la-Romaine to Gap unfolded through the lens of Stefano Sirotti as racing resumed after the second and final rest day of the hundredth Tour de France.
