Aussie cyclist Adam Hansen stops for a beer during the Tour de France

Two gruelling climbs up the Alpe d’Huez might have nearly broken yellow jersey leader Chris Froome, but Australia’s Adam Hansen still found time to enjoy a beer during his second ascent.

During the climb of Alpe d’Huez’s notorious 21 hairpin bends, Hansen was handed a beer from at the famously boisterous ‘Dutch Corner’ on turn 17.

With Lotto-Belisol team leader Andre Greipel not requiring assistance beyond the intermediate sprint Hansen readily accepted, taking a quick swig of the amber ale.

While the move may have come at the behest of team doctors and race organisers, it didn’t seem to hamper Hansen’s performance as he finished the stage 59th overall – still beating home Cadel Evans as well as previous stage winners Daniel Martin and Rui Costa.

The 32-year-old Queenslander – known as ‘Croc Man’ – is 65th in the overall General Classification standings.

Earlier in the year he claimed a stage victory during the Giro d’Italia, and in 2012 became only the second Australian to ride all three Grand Tours in a calender year.

Froome remains the dominant leader in the yellow jersey and KOM standings, Peter Sagan holds an unassailable lead in the Points Classification and Nairo Quintana the Best Young Rider classification.

Saxo-Tinkoff’s Michael Rogers remains the highest-placed Australian rider in eight overall, with Sky’s Richie Porte 20th.