Lyon travelled to the west coast boasting the best defence in Top 14 and buoyed after a 19-13 win over Racing 92 on their last away outing.
But Bordeaux gave the visitors no quarter, scrum-half Baptiste Serin touching down for the first of their four tries after just nine minutes to push Lyon quickly into defensive mode.
It set the tone for a convincing home win that, aided by a yellow card to hooker Mickael Ivaldi, handed Lyon their biggest reverse of the league season.
Lyon manager Pierre Mignoni conceded: “What can we say? Bordeaux managed their game far better, were more enterprising and dominated the duels. Hats-off to them.
“We’re feeling rather ashamed. It’s been a long time we’ve played like this. I didn’t really recognise my team. I hope it’s just a flash in the pan.”
A penalty apiece for either side left the hosts 8-3 to the good at the interval.
But a quick Bordeaux penalty took their lead to 11-3 two minutes after the restart and, although a Lyon penalty cut the deficit to 11-6 their bid was hit minutes later when Ivaldi was sin-binned for what would prove to be a costly yellow-card offence.
Serin kicked the penalty for a 14-6 lead and Bordeaux quickly capitalised on the man advantage, Fijian Semi Radradra brushing off three tackles on a 25-yard run to touch down his first try of the season.
Serin’s conversion had the hosts 21-6 in front before the hour mark, when the France scrum-half was replaced by Yann Lesgourgues.
Ivaldi’s return hardly boosted Lyon, the visitors quickly conceding another penalty. Bordeaux kicked into touch five metres from the try line, and the bonus point was theirs when flanker Mahamadou Diaby touched over moments later for his third try in as many outings.
Brock James’ conversion took Bordeaux to 28-6 and although Lyon scored their only try in the 72nd minute thanks to Rudi Wulf, the conversion reducing arrears to 28-13, the hosts would regain their bonus point in dramatic circumstances.
An extra-time penalty set up a final scrum and it was Lesgourgues who touched down in the 84th minute to secure the bonus, Lucas Meret’s conversion sealing the 35-13 win.
Bordeaux moved up to fifth, eight points behind leaders Clermont following their 41-6 rout of Castres on Saturday.
“It seemed the English weather conditions suited us,” joked Bordeaux handler Rory Teague.
“But I’m pleased with how we showed determination and attitude. It will set us up well for next week when we have to travel to Toulouse.”
Stade Francais sit in second spot at three points behind Clermont following their 25-20 win over Montpellier while Toulouse are third after Saturday’s 36-18 win at Perpignan.
Toulon host La Rochelle in Sunday’s late game hoping to crawl out of the bottom two.
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