Gigante, who moved into the leading group after finishing in the leading pack on Thursday AEST, came home in 16th place for the second day running, one minute and 11 seconds behind the winner.

Squiban, 23, made pace on the upper slopes of the Col du Granier to reach the finish of the hilly stage alone, which lifted the UAE Team ADQ rider to second in the polka dot jersey standings, level on 17 points with Dutchwoman Silke Smulders.

‘You have to give everything’

It was another French one-two as Cedrine Kerbaol (EF Education-Oatly) crossed the line 51 seconds behind Squiban to take second place, and American Ruth Edwards was third.

Le Court is ahead of Frenchwoman Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike) by 26 seconds and Poland’s Katarzyna Niewiadoma Phinney (Canyon-SRAM) by 30 seconds.