German rider Tony Martin broke away to a clear victory in the ninth stage of the Tour de France this afternoon as Vincenzo Nibali lost the yellow jersey for the first time since stage two.
Omega Pharma-Quick Step rider Martin took victory in Mulhouse by almost three minutes as Tony Gallopin finished in the nearest group to move ahead of Nibali in the overall standings.
Nibali, who took the yellow jersey in Sheffield a week ago, finished well adrift of Lotto-Belisol's Frenchman Gallopin.
Gallopin now holds a one minute, 34 second advantage over Nibali and will wear the yellow jersey for tomorrow's mountain stage between Mulhouse and La Planche des Belles Filles on Bastille Day.
