Ag2r-La Mondiale's Blel Kadri soloed to victory on a rain-drenched Stage 8 of the Tour de France.
He rode away from Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) in the final kilometres to take the win.
The win also meant that Kadri took over the lead in the King of the Mountains classification and will wear the polka-dot jersey on Sunday.
The Frenchman, along with Chavanel, Paris-Roubaix winner Niki Terpstra (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) and young Brit Simon Yates (Orica-GreenEDGE) formed the day's breakaway.
With several categorised climbs in the final kilometres and no rider in the breakaway a threat to the general classification, the peloton were content to let the quartet go.
Chavanel and Kadri shed Terpstra and Yates as the latter pair began to tire. Then, with 22 kilometres to go, Kadri left his sole companion behind and opted to go it alone.
“It’s an amazing feeling that I have right now,” said Kadri after staying out in front to take the win.
“I’m delighted for myself and for the team as well.
"The main aim for the team was to win a stage — we’ve done that now — and to get the polka-dot jersey too, that’s important as well.”
Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) held onto the yellow jersey he has held since Stage 2. He survived an attack by Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo), regarded by many as the favourite following Chris Froome's departure from the race with a fractured wrist and hand.
“The team was extraordinary and the legs responded well,” said Contador.
“We’ll have to see day by day. Nibali is a great rider like all the great riders ahead of me.
"I must keep hoping and try to take time with each stage.”