Groves secured his inaugural Tour stage victory, marking the third win in this race for his Alpecin-Deceuninck team. However, it was the first since the second stage, as their prior stage winners, Jasper Philipsen and Mathieu van der Poel, have been sidelined due to injury and illness.

When the front group tackled the 3.6km Côte de Thésy, Frenchman Jordan Jegat launched a solo attack, but he was then overtaken by Sweeny.

Kaden Groves celebrates on the podium after winning a Tour de France stage for the first time. Source: AP / Mosa’ab Elshamy

As rain fell heavily again after 40km, Sweeny opened up a 50-second lead, only to be quickly reeled in.

Victory would also give Pogačar a fifth Grand Tour after winning the Giro d’Italia in dominant fashion last year.