The 191.5-kilometre mountain stage from Châtel-Guyon to Puy Mary featured seven climbs, with an 18-rider breakaway group eventually forming.

United States’ Neilson Powless attacked from the move on the fifth ascent of the stage and was joined by Germany’s Maximilian Schachmann.

The Bora-Hansgrohe rider successfully pulled clear of Powless with around 30 kilometres remaining, as he targeted a solo stage win.

Martínez, Germany’s Lennard Kämna and Spain’s Marc Soler attempted to bridge across with 15 kilometres to race, although the latter’s effort faltered.

Martinez would impressively emerge as the stage winner with the EF Pro Cycling rider fending off the challenge of Bora-Hansgrohe team-mates Kämna and Schachmann.

Schachmann faded on the final climb after his earlier efforts, with Martinez then riding past Kämna in the closing metres after his German rival began the final uphill sprint to the line.

Martinez crossed the line in a winning time of 5 hours, 1min and 47sec.

The general classification contenders came across the line minutes later, with Roglič and Pogačar crossing 6:05 behind the stage winner.

The Slovenian duo had successfully distanced their rivals on the final climb, most notably pulling clear of defending champion Bernal.

Australia’s Richie Porte and Spain’s Mikel Landa produced strong rides to end 13 seconds down, with Colombia’s Miguel Angel Lopez a further three seconds adrift.

Bernal lost 38 seconds to Roglič and Pogačar.

Team Jumbo-Visma’s Roglič now holds a 44 second advantage at the top of the general classification, with Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates now his nearest challenger.

Bernal dropped to third position, with the Ineos Grenadiers’ team leader now 59 seconds off the yellow jersey.

He is the first of four Colombian riders in the top six, with Rigoberto Uran, Nairo Quintana and Lopez all within 1:31 in the general classification battle.

Tomorrow will see the riders tackle a flatter 194km stage from Clermont-Ferrand to Lyon.