The Lotto Soudal rider formed part of the early breakaway on the 182-kilometre stage, which began and finished in Issoire.

Austria’s Patrick Gamper, France’s Cyril Gautier and American rider Ian Garrison also formed part of the move during the first loop of 70km.

Riders then faced three laps of a finishing circuit, with the breakaway’s advantage standing at over four minutes on their lap.

The move saw the breakaway's lead cut to three minutes by the start of the third lap, which included final ascents of the Côte du Chateau du Buron and Col de la Croix des Gardes.

Van Moer proved the strongest rider on the climbs and broke clear of his breakaway companions to pursue a stage win.

The Belgian rider remained clear of the peloton to secure victory in a time of four hours and 13 minutes.

The result marked a contrast from last year, when he crashed out on the opening day after featuring in a breakaway.

Van Moer will wear the race leader’s yellow jersey heading into the second stage.

The Belgian has a 25 second cushion over Italy’s Sonny Colbrelli, who led the peloton over the line.

Tomorrow’s stage will see the peloton tackle a 173km route from Brioude to Saugues.