Garcia Acosta grimaces towards victory

For much of the day they were attacks, and in the closing stages the leading trio were clear and set to battle it out for the win.

With a few kilometres to go the Banesto rider attacked on an incline and the two Frenchmen couldn't go with him.

Four of the French teams had red, white and blue tyres specially made for the day to enter into the spirit of the 14th of July.

But Garcia Acosta gatecrashed their party.