Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe claimed his maiden Tour de France stage win on Tuesday, while Belgium’s Greg van Avermaet retained the yellow jersey.

Alaphilippe, who is part of the Quick Step team, finished several minutes ahead of the main peloton after launching a lone attack on the third and penultimate climb.

‘I can’t describe it. Going for a win like this was a big dream for me,’ said the 26-year-old. ‘I’ve worked really hard for this. Not everyone realises how important it is for a cyclist to take part in the Tour. For a Frenchman, it’s simply unavoidable.

‘I’m happy the last 10 kilometre was downhill because it gave me the chance to understand what was happening to me.’

In the overall standings, Van Avermaet – who finished fourth on stage 10 – now leads Geraint Thomas, in second, by 2min 22secs, with Alejandro Valverde is third overall at 3:10.

Four-time winner Chris Froome is up to sixth overall, 3:21 back on Van Avermaet.

Stage 10 result:

1. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra/Quick-Step Floors) 4hrs 25mins 27secs
2. Ion Izagirre (Spa/Bahrain-Merida) +1min 34secs
3. Rein Taaramae (Est/Direct Energie) +1min 40secs
4. Greg van Avermaet (Bel/BMC Racing) +1min 44secs
5. Serge Pauwels (Bel/Team Dimension Data) same time
6. Lilian Calmejane (Fra/Direct Energie) +2mins 24secs
7. Dan Martin (Ire/UAE Team Emirates) +3mins 23secs
8. Primoz Roglic (Slo/LottoNL-Jumbo) same time
9. David Gaudu (Fra/Groupama-FDJ)
10. Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Sky)

General classification after stage 10:

1. Greg van Avermaet (Bel/BMC Racing) 40hrs 34mins 28secs
2. Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Sky) +2mins 22secs
3. Alejandro Valverde (Spa/Movistar) +3mins 10secs
4. Jakob Fuglsang (Den/Astana) +3mins 12secs
5. Bob Jungels (Lux/Quick-Step Floors) +3mins 20secs
6. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) +3mins 21secs
7. Adam Yates (GB/Mitchelton-Scott) same time
8. Mikel Landa (Spa/Movistar)
9. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita/Bahrain-Merida) +3mins 27secs
10. Primoz Roglic (Slo/LottoNL-Jumbo) +3mins 36secs