Yellow jersey holder Thomas Voeckler makes an early break from the peloton during the initial stages

The peloton winds its way through rural France as the Tour heads south towards the Massif Central

Spain's Inigo Landaluze is pursued by Italian Filippo Pozzato as another group build a sizeable lead over the field

Italy's Filippo Simeoni joins Landaluze at the head of the field while the peloton trails by under seven minutes

The pack begin to reel in Simeoni and Landaluze with the finish in Gueret just a few kilometres away

In an incredible climax the peloton swallows up the leading pair and Robbie McEwen snatches the win from Thor Hushovd

Australia's Robbie McEwen celebrates on the podium after claiming his second stage win of this year's event