Katusha's Alexander Kristoff takes maiden Tour de France stage win

After 185.5 kilometres of racing it was the final 500 metres that decided the stage winner as all the main sprinters lined themselves up for the finish line.

Katusha rider Kristoff managed to fend off the challenge of Sagan (Cannondale), who had to settle for second place again in this year's race, and Arnaud Demare (FDJ.fr) to cross first.

A group of five riders led the early break away on the route from Bourg-en-Bresse to Saint-Etienne with David de la Cruz (NetApp-Endura) and Florian Vachon (Bretagne-Seche) taking the early climbing and sprint points respectively.

Simon Clarke (Orica-GreenEDGE) made a late break on his own to take the final climb of the stage before he was slowly reeled in by the peloton for a spectacular finish.

Astana's Vincenzo Nibali maintained his overall lead, with Richie Porte (Team Sky) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) rounding off the top three in the general classification.

With no major climbs on the stage Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) remains the king of the mountains leader, while Romain Bardet (Ag2r-La Mondiale) will continue in the white jersey.

De la Cruz passed the col du Broilly and cote du Saule-d'Oingt first to take the few climbing points on offer, but his day ended in disaster as a crash led to him withdrawing.

The breakaway five became two with 52km remaining as Sebastian Langeveld (Garmin-Sharp) and Clarke pushed themselves up col des Brosses and Cote de Grammond before the peloton caught up.

As Saint-Etienne came into view the riders jostled for position in the tight streets before Katusha left Kristoff in the perfect position to make his winning break.

He showed no sign of nerves in the closing stretch despite the pressure of Sagan, with his dart for the line handing Katusha their first win of this year's Tour.

After an undulating stage in the shadows of the Alps the riders now prepare for stage 13 and their first foray into the mountains on this year's race.