Yates, Austrian Gregor Muehlberger and Spain's Pello Bilbao were alone in front at the top of the last ascent of the day, the Hourquette d'Ancizan (10 kilometres at 7.5 per cent), and they stayed ahead in the final descent into Bagneres-de-Bigorre.

Yates took the final bend first and, with only 100 metres left, held a decisive advantage in a three-man sprint with Bilbao finishing second and Muehlberger third.

In contrast to his twin brother and Mitchelton-Scott teammate Adam, Simon has no ambitions in the general classification this year after finishing a disappointing eighth in the Giro d'Italia.

The spotlight will switch back to the overall contenders on Friday's 13th stage, when Thomas will look to increase his lead over his main rivals in the 27.2-kilometre time trial in Pau.

Reuters