Defending Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas is up to second in this year's general classification (GC) after a chaotic 10th stage.
The 33-year-old had started the day fifth overall, but benefitted from a surprising late split in the peloton.
Following a mostly mundane day of riding, the stage exploded into life with 30 kilometres remaining on the journey from Saint-Flour to Albi as the main yellow jersey hopefuls hunted each other on the rural roads.
Wout Van Aert crossed the line first for his maiden stage triumph, with Thomas' 12th place finish enough to see him spring up the GC as a number of his rivals lost time in the crosswinds.
Julian Alaphilippe finished 11th to remain in the yellow jersey, while Jasper Philipsen of UAE Team Emirates claimed an impressive 6th place.
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