Le Cap d'Agde, France – German Andre Greipel snatched his third win on the Tour de France this year when he outsprinted Slovakian prodigy Peter Sagan to claim the 13th stage on Saturday.
Greipel prevailed at the end of a tricky 217-km ride from St Paul Trois Chateaux, timing his effort to perfection and resisting Sagan's fightback on the line.
Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen, who benefited from Sky team mate Bradley Wiggins's unexpected lead-out effort in the final kilometre, took third place.
Wiggins retained the overall leader's yellow jersey.
Strong crosswinds on the road to Sete split the peloton, which was reduced to around 50 after a short but brutal climb to the Mont St Clair, and the remaining riders prepared for a sprint.
Defending champion Cadel Evans, who is fourth overall and trails Wiggins by 3:19, upped the pace in the ascent to the Mont St Clair but the Briton easily stayed with him.
South Africa’s Daryl Impey, riding for Orica, finished fifth.
Sunday's 14th stage is a 191-km mountainous ride from Limoux to Foix featuring the punishing ascent to the Mur de Peguere. – Reuters