With a largely flat start to the 100th edition of the Tour de France, pre-race favourite Chris Froome (Team Sky) had patiently bided his time throughout much of the first week.

But when his chance to shine arrived he grabbed it with both hands.

Riding comfortably in an elite leading group which also contained his main GC rivals, Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff), Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) for most of the day, Froome and lieutenant Richie Porte were then the two to neutralise an attack by Nairo Quintana.

And no sooner had they caught the Colombian, Froome blew the race to pieces with a stunning attack on the final climb – Ax-3-Domaines.

Setting a relentless pace as he eased up the mountainside on his own, Froome left his rivals behind him and soloed into the yellow jersey.

Equally impressive rides followed during the Tour, not least his solo victory up Mont Ventoux, but none highlighted his dominance over his rivals quite so much as this first blow.