Bouhanni prevailed in a sprint finish on a day where it was expected that a mountain man would take the spoils with seven climbs on the challenging 176km parcours.

Australian Michael Matthews (Orica GreenEDGE) was second, just shading Russian Aleksei Tsatevich (Katusha) who finished third.

In an exciting finale to a picturesque stage, on the final climb the Movistar team of world champion Rui Costa attacked, but the attempt was nullified before two-time Tour of Beijing winner Tony Martin (Omega Pharma Quick-Step) tried his luck.  The German opened a 100m lead on the descent, with Costa trailing, but the FDJ.Fr team of Bouhanni closed the gap.

With Martin’s brave challenge over, Omega Pharma-Quick-Step began the lead out heading into the five-hundred metre finishing straight with an eye to setting up Alessandro Petacchi but once again it was Bouhanni burning down the outside, with Elia Vivani (Cannondale), Michael Matthews (Orica GreenEdge) and Aleksei Tstatevich (Katusha) left fighting it out for the minor placings. In the end, it was Matthews ahead of Tstatevich with Viviani missing the podium.

“I was behind Viviani with 250 to go and I went on the left and I didn’t hesitate,” Bouhanni said of the run into the finish.

Just as fast as he crossed the finish line, Bouhanni was just as quick to pay tribute to his teammates who spent much of the stage on the front of the peloton, controlling the race.

“It was hard but I had a super team to support me and I didn’t want to disappoint them and I went for it,” he said.

The 23-year old started the day with a one second advantage over his rivals in the battle for the red leader’s jersey and following

Sunday’s victory, extended that lead by a further 10 seconds. Thor Hushovd (BMC) was forced to abandon the race on Saturday night, flying home to Norway to be with his daughter who is ill in hospital.

Bouhanni, despite his good fortune on today’s stage, does not expect to still be in red on Monday afternoon, although he did say the same thing after yesterday’s stage.

“The fifth stage, yes, I’d like to win but tomorrow will be a bit too hard,” he said.