Julien Quesne was on course for his second Challenge Tour victory after reaching 15 under par midway through the final round of the Allianz Open de Lyon, but his French compatriot Michael Lorenzo-Vera was only two shots behind after a stunning start.
Quesne had birdies at the third, sixth and eighth against a bogey at the fifth to remain ahead at Golf du Gouverneur, but Lorenzo-Vera, a former Challenge Tour Rankings winner, was seven under through 12 holes.
Begium’s Pierre Relecom was 12 under after reaching the turn in three under par, while Scotland’s Craig Lee was another shot back at 11 under after nine holes.
Lorenzo-Vera came flying out of the blocks with birdies at the first, second, fourth, sixth and ninth, tenth and 12th to set up a nailbiting finish in France.
