Jarlinson Pantano outsprinted Rafal Majka to win stage 15 ©Getty Images

Jarlinson Pantano secured his maiden stage win at the Grand Tour after beating Poland’s Rafal Majka in the closing metres of the 160 kilometre route from Bourg-en-Bresse to Culoz today.

The Colombian was part of a 30-strong lead group, which moved clear after 23 kilometres, with nobody posing a threat to the leaders of the general classification.

Majka was also present in the breakaway and began claiming the points which would eventually move him back into the King of the Mountains jersey at the close of the day, with the Polish national champion having previously triumphed in the classification back in 2014.

Both Majka and Pantano were quick to latch onto a move at 70km to go, which also involved 2012 Tour de France winner Vincenzo Nibali of Italy and France’s Julian Alaphilippe.

The duo, though, broke out on their own as they approached the Grand Colombier, one the key climbs on the stage, and remained together until the finish.

Pantano, winner of the final stage of the Tour de Suisse last month, eventually got the better of his Polish rival in a sprint finish to secure IAM Cycling’s first stage victory at the Tour de France in what is due to be their final year, with the team folding at the end of the season after failing to attack more sponsorship.

The win, which came in a time of 4hr, 24min and 29sec, was also Colombia’s first win of this year’s race.

Team Sky comfortably defended Chris Froome's overall race lead ©Getty Images
Team Sky comfortably defended Chris Froome's overall race lead ©Getty Images

“The Tour de France is the best race in the world, to make the podium is a dream come true,” said Pantano.

“It's incredible, the last climb has been extremely hard.

“When you have such an opportunity, you have to give it all.

“This is the most important win of my life, something I've always dreamt of.”

While the mountainous stage had looked likely to give general classification hopefuls a chance to attack race lead Chris Froome, the Briton was left largely untroubled and preserved his advantage.

The Team Sky rider is 1:47 ahead of second place Bauke Mollema of the Netherlands, with Britain’s Adam Yates 2:45 down in third.

Colombia’s Nairo Quintana is fourth but 2:59 off Froome’s pace.

Tomorrow will be the final opportunity for the sprinters to earn a stage victory before next Sunday’s (July 24) finale in Paris, with a relatively flat stage from Moirans-en-Montagne to Berne.

Stage six of the Tour of Poland, another International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour race, was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.