AG2R's Christophe Riblon took stage eighteen of the 100th Tour De France on top of Alpe 'D'Huez.
A stage that many were savouring and the moutain was packed despite the wet weather for hours before the riders rolled out of Gap on this 172.5km stage, which featured six categorised climbs: the col de Manse (cat-2 at 13km), Rampe u Motty (cat-3 at 45km), col d'Ormon (cat-3 at 95km), the first ascent of Alpe d'Huez ('HC' at 122.5km), the col de Sarenne (cat-2 at 131.5km) followed by the climb to the finish at Alpe d'Huez where double points were on offer.
Ryder Hesjedal of Garmin Sharp was first over the col de Manse and took the five points before before nine riders in Moreno Moser, Tejay van Garderen, Jens Voigt, Arnold Jeannesson, Christophe Riblon, Andrey Amador, Sylvain Chavanel, Lars Boom and Tom Danielson of Garmin Sharp took to the front.
With 128kms to go and after Lutsenko had abandoned, they had taken a lead of 6.20 on the yellow jersey group of Chris Froome.
Tom Danielson took the points on offer on the Ramp Du Motty as the gap went out to 7.55.with Arnold Jeannesson sprinted to take the points ahead of Chavanal on the col d'Ormon after 95kms.
This was followed by the intermediate sprint won by Lars Boom before the first ascent of Alpe D'Huez started. Moreno Moser took to the front and was first over to get the 25 points.
Onto the Col De Sarenne and Moser was dropped by Van Garderen, who took the five points ahead of Riblon, who had attacked with him.
After William Bonnet abandoned, it was the second and final descent of Alpe D'Huez for the remaining 175 riders to tackle.
It was Riblon who was first over the Alpe D'Huez for the second time and he took a superb victory ahead of Tejay Van Garderen.
Chris Froome came in 3.18 back but it was enough to take his lead over Alberto Contador to more than five minutes.
2 Van Garderen +59s 3 Moser +1'27 4 Quintana +2'12 5 Rodriguez +2'15 6 Porte +3'18 7 Froome ST 8 Valverde +3'22
General Classifications: 1. Chris Froome 2. Alberto Contador +5:11 3. Nairo Quintana +5:32 4. Roman Kreuziger +5:44 5. Joaquin Rodriguez +5:58