Peter Sagan showed off his world champion qualities yesterday, timing his sprint perfectly to win the 16th stage of the Tour de France in a photo finish as the race crossed into Switzerland.

Sagan, a Slovakian with the Tinkoff team, edged Alexander Kristoff of Norway at the line.

Kristoff thought he won and pumped his fist in celebration, only to learn seconds later he hadn’t.

Chris Froome held on to the yellow jersey entering the second and final rest day.

It was Sagan’s third stage win in this Tour and the seventh of his career.

Sondre Enger, another Norwegian, crossed third.

The rolling 209km stage from Moirans-en-Montagne to the Swiss capital of Bern resembled the route of a single-day classic, with a section on cobblestones before a slight uphill finish.

Sagan is a specialist at stages like this, which exalt his unique blend of characteristics: he’s a punchy rider able to ride strong over short climbs and a top sprinter.

He was greeted at the finish by a large contingent of fans waving Slovakia flags.

Sagan also won Stage 2, which followed a similar course, in a sprint. Then he took Stage 11 after leading a late breakaway.

Sagan also won the world title with a late breakaway in the US last year.

Froome kept his 1 minute, 47 second lead over Dutch rider Bauke Mollema, with Britain’s Adam Yates in third, 2:45 back.