A 179km long stage from Chambery to Gap saw some spectacular scenary through the Alps but things were pretty quiet on the road.
Mario Aerts led a five man break away and they had a twelve minute lead from the peleton.
Radio Shack's Sergio Paulinho and Vasily Kiryienka of Caisse d'Epargne broke clear and it was the Portuguese rider who just edged the victory in Gap in a time of 5hr 10 mins and 56 seconds.
Nicholas Roche came in 12.59 down with the main peleton lead by Mark Cavendish in ninth coming in 14.18 seconds down on the winner.
There is no change in the yellow jersey.
Tomorrow's stage is from Sisteron to Bourg Les Valance and is 184.5km long and will have a sprint finish which will interest Mark Cavendish who is 43 points behind in the race for the Green Jersey.
You can see the stage live on British Eurosport and ITV4.