The German proved quickest over the 175.5 kilometres route from La Tour-de-Salvagny to Mâcon, waiting patiently before striking late on to win by a single bike length.

He crossed the line in a time of 4 hours, 4min and 32sec.

Bauhaus was followed by four French riders with Arnaud Démare and Bryan Coquard finishing in second and third in the same time.

Adrien Petit and Nacer Bouhanni rounded out the top five.

"I felt that my shape was quite good a few weeks ago and I’m super happy that now everything worked out and that I could take the first victory," Bauhaus said to Cycling Weekly.

"I saw on the second stage that my sprint was quite good and I felt from the beginning that my legs were good today.

"We chased with two guys and so I was confident.

"My legs were good enough to take the win home."

Belgium's Thomas De Gendt retained the overall race lead after finishing safely in the peleton today.

Australia's Richie Porte is the Lotto-Soudal rider's nearest challenger but still sits 27 seconds back.

Movistar's Alejandro Valverde of Spain is third in the general classification, 51 seconds behind De Gendt, whose overall time is 17:10:25.

Three-time winner Chris Froome of Team Sky is 1:04 behind after the Briton finished in the middle of the field today.

Action at the International Cycling Union WorldTour event is due to continue in France tomorrow with stage six.

Competitors will race a 147.5km route from Le Parc des Oiseaux to La Motte-Servolex.