Majka climbs clear of breakaway companions to win Tour de France stage 11

Poland's Rafal Majka broke clear to win his first stage of this year's Tour de France having won two in 2014 ©Getty Images

Poland's Rafal Majka climbed clear of his breakaway companions in the mountains to win Stage 11 of the Tour de France from Pau to Cauterets, on a day where there was little change in the general classification positions.

With the steep ascent of the Col du Tourmalet in the final kilometres of the 188 kilometres stage several attacks took place throughout the day as riders eyed a stage victory, with the general classification contenders unwilling to make early moves to the finish.

Team Sky, who were able to ride defensively throughout the duration of the stage after Britain's Chris Froome had extended his race lead yesterday, opted to move quickly, though, to close down a 22-man move featuring French pair Romain Bardet and Thibaut Pinot.

Instead a smaller seven-man group, who represented no threat to Froome's advantage, were allowed to move away from the field and establish an advantage of around six minutes.

Irish climber Dan Martin counter attacked with Ukraine's Andriy Grivko in an effort to join the leading group, which included the winners of the 2012 and 2014 King of the Moutain's classifications in France's Thomas Voeckler and Majka.

Martin's brave effort and successful effort to join the leaders fell just short, however, as he had to settle for second, finishing a minute behind Majka after the Pole broke clear with seven kilometres remaining and stayed ahead to win his third Tour de France stage victory in two years, crossing the line in 5 hours 02min 01sec.

Chris Froome's race lead did not come under serious threat on stage 11 of the Tour de France ©Getty Images

Freed from his duties to help Alberto Contador in the mountains, Majka played down the suggestion he would attempt to win the King of the Mountains jersey in back-to-back years and instead claimed his focus was on aiding his Spanish team mate in his bid a gap of over four minutes to Froome and claim yellow.

"A lot of people asked me before the Tour de France if I was going for the polka dot jersey again but it's not easy because I came to the Tour to help Alberto Contador," he said.

"Alberto has a good head and he's a big rider, he always fights.

"Maybe we'll have to wait for someone to have a bad day or bad luck but I hope Alberto will succeed in doubling up Giro and Tour this year.

"There are another long two weeks of racing and I'll be able to tell you more only after stage 20."

Froome's lead at the top of the general classification remained unchanged with his nearest rivals, America's Tejay van Garderen and Colombia's Nairo Quintana, lying 2:52 and 3:09 behind the Briton.

Stage 12 could see the battle among the race favourites reignite as the 195km route from Lannemezan to Plateau de Beille features several lenghtly climbs.