American Talansky takes stage and yellow jersey

The 24-year-old Miami native edged out escape partners Davide Malacarne of Italy and Spaniard Gorka Izagirre on a wet afternoon as he picked up his biggest career win and also took the overall lead.

Spaniard David Lopez, Australia's Richie Porte and French rider Romain Bardet also came home with the same time while seventh placed Andriy Grivko of the Ukraine is now second overall at 3secs.

Malacarne moves third overall on the same time with Sylvain Chavanel of France a further second adrift.

Italy's Elia Viviani, who began the stage in the leader's yellow jersey, was well distanced and lost nearly three minutes on a route unsuited to his sprinting talents.