The 194-kilometre stage from Clermont-Ferrand to Lyon was ignited by Bora-Hansgrohe, with the aim of supporting Peter Sagan’s aim of securing the sprinter’s green jersey.

Bora-Hansgrohe increased the pace on the climb in Aulteribe at 32km into the stage, which dislodged the green jersey Sam Bennett.

Bennett’s Deceuninck-Quick Step sought to close the gap after the climb, but the Irish star was unable to regain contact with the peloton.

Bora-Hansgrohe's high pace would ultimately lead to breakaway rider Stefan Küng of Switzerland being caught by the peloton with 80km to go.

No attacks came until the closing 10 kilometres, when Belgium’s Tiesj Benoot began a frenzy of late moves.

Germany’s Lennard Kämna, Belgium’s Thomas De Gendt and France’s Julian Alaphilippe each launched efforts in the closing kilometres.

The eventual winning move came from Andersen, with the Sunweb rider counter-attacking with three kilometres to race.

His Sunweb team-mates helped to disrupt the chase, with Andersen remaining clear to take the stage win in a time of 4 hours, 28min and 10sec.

Slovenia’s Luka Mezgec led the chasing pack over the line 15 seconds down, followed by Italy’s Simone Consonni and Sagan.

Despite missing out on the stage win Sagan has cut the gap in the points classification, with the seven-time green jersey winner now on 219 points to Bennett’s 262.

The general classification was unchanged by the stage with Slovenia’s Primož Roglič remaining 44 seconds clear of his compatriot Tadej Pogačar.

Defending champion Egan Bernal of Colombia is third at 59 seconds down.

A tough 174km mountain stage will take place tomorrow, with stage 15 taking the peloton from Lyon to the Grand Colombier.

The final rest day of the race will follow.