The Quick-Step Floors rider faced the prospect of seeing victory slip through his fingers after a spirited effort from Poland’s Maciej Bodnar.

Bodnar had been part of a three man breakaway, who escaped in the opening metres of the 203 kilometre flat stage from Eymet.

Their advantage remained a small one for the duration of the stage, but dipped to below one minute with 25km to go.

It provoked Bodnar to go solo, with the Polish rider bravely holding off the field until the final 250 metres of racing.

He was eventually passed in the closing metres, with Kittel outsprinting The Netherlands’ Dylan Groenewegen and Norway’s Edvald Boasson Hagen to win in 4 hours, 34min and 27sec.

"It's incredible because even being at the top your game, you're never sure to win," said Kittel, who extends his lead in the green jersey competition for points.

"In those five bunch sprints I won, I never made a mistake.

"Today again I could jump from wheel to wheel.

"It's nice to give the team a win again.

"Julien Vermote, Jack Bauer, Philippe Gilbert, they're champions and they gave everything for me to win today.

"I'm speechless, it's hard to work on winning.

"Most importantly, I've got the legs and the mind for it at the moment."

Britain’s Chris Froome remains in the overall race lead, with the Team Sky rider 18 seconds clear of Italy’s Fabio Aru in the yellow jersey. 

France's Romain Bardet, who suffered a mid-stage crash, is third and 51 seconds behind the three-time winner.

The International Cycling Union WorldTour race is due to continue tomorrow, with a 214km mountain stage from Pau to Peyragudes.