The 35-year-old German, riding for the RadioShack team, was among a group of eight who broke clear in the final descent from the gruelling Col de la Mure, nine kms from the finish line.

France's Arthur Vichot crashed in a ravine as the pace was increasing in the final descent and broke his collarbone.

"Tomorrow is a hard time trial and also the last four days were very hard and nervous. I hope the legs stay like this and I can also do a good time trial," Kloeden told reporters.