Welshman Geraint Thomas won the 11th stage of the Tour de France on Wednesday to claim the leader’s yellow jersey.

The Team Sky rider overtook Spaniard Mikel Nieve (Mitchelton) in the closing metres of the 108.5-kilometre stage from Albertville to the summit of La Rosiere.

Dutchman Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) finished second at 20 seconds, just ahead of Sky leader and four-time champion Chris Froome.

Thomas now leads Froome by one minute and 25 seconds in the overall standings.

‘It is unreal, I didn’t expect it,’ said Thomas. ‘We were low on numbers, so it was instinct when I went. I committed, got across to Dumoulin and then sat on. It was a shame because Mikel Nieve is a nice guy but I had to go for the win.

‘It is always an honour to be in yellow. I knew it was a good chance but I didn’t know what everyone else would ride like. We were expecting attacks.

‘It is never nice to see them ride away but we had confidence in each other.’

Stage 11 result:

1. Geraint Thomas (Gbr/Team Sky) 3hrs 29mins 36secs
2. Tom Dumoulin (Ned/Sunweb) +20secs
3. Chris Froome (Gbr/Team Sky) same time
4. Damiano Caruso (Ita/BMC) +22secs
5. Mikel Nieve (Spa/Mitchelton-Scott) same time
6. Daniel Martin (Ire/UAE Emirates) +27secs
7. Jesús Herrada (Spa/Cofidis) +57secs
8. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R) +59secs
9. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita/Bahrain – Merida) same time
10. Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar)

General classification after stage 11:

1. Geraint Thomas (Gbr/Team Sky) 44hrs 6mins 16 secs
2. Chris Froome (Gbr/Team Sky) +1min 25secs
3. Tom Dumoulin (Ned/Team Sunweb +1min 44secs
4. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita/Bahrain-Merida) +2mins 14secs
5. Primož Roglic (Slo/LottoNL-Jumbo) +2mins 23secs
6. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/LottoNL-Jumbo) +2mins 40secs
7. Mikel Landa (Spa/Movistar) +2mins 56secs
8. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R) +2min 58secs
9. Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar) +3mins 16secs
10. Daniel Martin (Ire/UAE Emirates) same time