The 35-year-old rides for Data Dimenson, the same team as Mark Cavendish, winner of three stages in this year's Tour already.

Cummings has been in fine form throughout the season, earning breakaway victories in both the Vuelta al Pais Vasco and the Critérium du Dauphiné.

He had formed part of a large 29-man breakaway, which formed after 45 kilometres of the 162km stage and contained potential rivals for the stage win in Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara, Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali and the overall race leader Greg Van Avermaet of Belgium.

Cummings opted to attack with 27km remaining of the stage, as the teams of the overall favourites began to close on the breakaway, primarily to halt Nibali from rising up the standings.

After moving solo, Cummings was able to produce a strong and composed ride on the climb of the Col d'Aspin, despite the blistering heat.

The Briton eventually finished in a time of 3 hours 51min 58sec to earn the second Tour de France stage win of his career, with South Africa’s Daryl Impey leading the chasing pack home 65 seconds down.

“Of all my victories, I think it's the best one," said Cummings. 

“The Tour is the Tour, it's special."

Cummings has not been selected by Britain for next month's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. 

“I haven't wanted to prove anything with regards to my non-selection for the Olympic Games," he said. 

“After the disappointment, I passed to the next chapter.

“The Tour de France is the biggest show. 

"It's the biggest race on earth.”

Times were neutralised from the final three kilometres, after an inflatable arch collapsed at the one kilometre to go banner, delaying several riders in the peloton.

Van Avermaet finished fifth on the stage to stretch his overall lead to 6:36 over second place Julian Alaphilippe of France.

Spain’s Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodriquez are a further two and three seconds down respectively, while British defending champion Chris Froome and Colombia’s Nairo Quintana are 6:42 adrift.

They will expect to make major inroads into the gap tomorrow with the 184km Pyrenean stage from Pau to Bagnères-de-Luchon.