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Bagnres-de-Luchon - Chris Froome stunned his Tour de France rivals by attacking on a fast descent to take eighth stage honours on Saturday and claim the race leader's yellow jersey.
The reigning champion didn't make his usual move on the tough last climb but instead broke clear on the 16km descent to the finish.
"Sometimes we're too predictable so today we decided to change things a bit," said Froome's team manager at Sky, Dave Brailsford.
"We mixed the tactics and do something unexpected. Well done Chris!"
Froome contradicted his manager, though, saying: "It wasn't planned. It was just a bit of fun really, I thought I'd give it a try!"
No-one could follow Froome, who won the stage by 13 seconds from Ireland's Dan Martin and Joaquim Rodriguez of Spain.
It was a fifth stage win in eight for Britons following three for Mark Cavendish and Steve Cummings on Friday.
Due to time bonuses on the line for the first three, Froome now leads Rodriguez and young Briton Adam Yates by 16sec.
Colombian Nairo Quintana, Froome's main rival, finished 13th on the stage and now sits 23 seconds back.
Stage 8 results:
1. Chris Froome (GBR/SKY) 4hr 57min 33sec
2. Daniel Martin (IRL/ETI) at 0:13
3. Joaquin Rodriguez (ESP/KAT) 0:13
4. Romain Bardet (FRA/ALM) 0:13
5. Roman Kreuziger (CZE/TIN) 0:13
6. Fabio Aru (ITA/AST) 0:13
7. Adam Yates (GBR/ORI) 0:13
8. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/MOV) 0:13
9. Bauke Mollema (NED/TRE) 0:13
10. Richie Porte (AUS/BMC) 0:13
