At 129km in length the stage had potential to rip apart the GC, but it took some time for a breakaway to go clear and, when they did, there was no threat to the red jersey within it.

Matteo Trentin (QuickStep Floors) claimed points at the intermediate sprint, but the eight-strong breakaway splintered on the Alto de Hazallanas, as did the Astana-led peloton.

Nicolas Roche (BMC Racing) was the most notable casualty from the main bunch, while Adam Yates and Romain Bardet (Ag2r-La Mondiale) were among those to attack from the front.

Bardet, Yates and Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo) caught lone leader Sander Armee (Lotto-Soudal) on the Alto del Purche, but the action behind them was lighting up too as Contador and Lopez set off in pursuit.

Kelderman took third, could not stop Zakarin moving ahead of him overall, while Froome gained six seconds on Nibali at the finish line – enough to carry a 1’01” lead into the second rest day.

He will now look to rest up and extend his advantage in Tuesday’s time trial – a 40km test to Logrono.

Tour de France 2017: stage 15 – result

1) Miguel Angel Lopez (COL) – Astana – 3.34.51hrs
2) Ilnur Zakarin (RUS) – Katusha-Alpecin +36”
3) Wilco Kelderman (NED) – Team Sunweb +45”
4) Johan Esteban Chaves (COL) – Orica-Scott +47”
5) Chris Froome (GBR) – Team Sky – ST
6) Michael Woods (CAN) – Cannondale-Drapac +50”
7) Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) – Bahrain-Merida +53”
8) Wout Poels (NED) – Team Sky – ST
9) Louis Meintjes (RSA) – UAE Team Emirates
10) Pello Bilbao (ESP) – Astana +1.02

General classification

1) Chris Froome (GBR) – Team Sky – 62.06.25hrs
2) Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) – Bahrain-Merida +1.01
3) Ilnur Zakarin (RUS) – Katusha-Alpecin +2.08
4) Wilco Kelderman (NED) – Team Sunweb +2.11
5) Johan Esteban Chaves (COL) – Orica-Scott +2.39
6) Miguel Angel Lopez (COL) – Astana +2.51
7) Fabio Aru (ITA) – Astana +3.24
8) Michael Woods (CAN) – Cannondale-Drapac +3.26
9) Alberto Contador (ESP) -Trek-Segafredo +3.59
10) Wout Poels (NED) – Team Sky +5.22