Irishman Nicholas Roche was take control of the Route du Sud race with victory on the second stage.
Roche's team mate Michael Rogers had taken victory on the opening stage and was the leader on this 178.6km stage from Bagnères de Bigorre to Val Louron.
An early break away failed to last the course over the climbs of the Col du Tourmalet and Col d’Aspin. Only a handful of riders were out in front when Tinkoff Saxo and Movistar attacked at the bottom of the last climb, Val Louron.
With five kilometres to go, Edward Beltran led and Roche seized his chance to get away. The Irishman was not to be caught and Roche took the win in 5.17.04, forty five seconds ahead of team mate Michael Rogers and Movistar's Alejandro Valverde.
Josh Edmondson of Team Sky finished 67th, some eighteen minutes and nine seconds down whilst last man to finish was Maxime Renault of BigMat - Auber 93 who finished some forty minute and ten seconds after Roche who takes a forty five second lead going into the final stage.
“I’m really satisfied and happy for this victory. It’s amazing that all the hard work has finally paid of with a victory, which is of course one of my main goals during the season besides supporting my teammates”, Roche said to his team's website.
“It was a super tough stage today with many of the climbs you’ll normally see in the Tour and strong competition to make it even more difficult. But we managed to pull it of today. Furthermore, it confirms that I’ve recovered after the Giro and that I’m ready for the Tour.”