Today's stage is a good 180km long, going around a circuit 8 times. This circuit has got two hills, of which one is though enough to be classified. With riders like Gil, Ginanni, Schumacher, Gilbert and many others eager for some CT points, today is promised to be an exciting stage, since whoever takes this stage, will most likely win the race in the end as well.
Going over the classified hill for the first time, Mares and de Ketele are up front after an early attack together with some other riders, but clearly, Gilbert is having none of it as he is going for the KOM jersey today and is now flying up the hill! But he comes too late, albeit it only just as only de Ketele beats him.
One lap later, after Mares and de Ketele attacked again followed by 12 others, Boucher attacks to take the KOM. The pack is chasing this groupe though, it migth be too big to catch up with in the end.
Meanwhile, the first rider in the pack are already being dropped. (Hoy and Kenny)
However, half a lap later, the pack has stopped the chase! These 14 men are gone for the day. They are Boucher, Mares, Meersman, Trampusch, Locatelli, de Ketele, Cioban, Echarri, Vanspeybrouck, Jeanneson, Podgornik, Kuchinski, Simunek and Gaywood.
As the work pretty well together, Boucher takes another kom sprint while Podgornik is dropped. He then take another... and another.
Their gap, which peaked at 6'30, has meanwhile started to come down, as with 73km left to go, there is 4'45 left.
Also, from the peloton, Mori(Sony) has attacked. He takes a small minute, but since nobody joins him, it probably won't last long with 100%Me chasing the break still.
Then, with only 3 KOM sprint left, the unthinkable happend: Boucher lost one! His third place is enough though, to come 2 points behind the current KOM leader van Ooien, ans with 2 kom sprints remaining, Boucher should be able to take the jersey. Echarri, Kuschinki Locatelli and Simunek have been dropped meanwhile, as is Mori nearly caught by the pack who are lead by mainly Vespa and 3'00 behind the break.
As the groupe gets smaller and smaller, Boucher really seems to have run out of energy, as he doesnt manage to take any points this lap either. Only one shot left... van Ooien might hold on to the jersey anyway in the end! The pack is still closing in; 1'45, with the favourites still looking at eachother.
On the top of the penultimate hill, there still hasnt been any attack from the peloton. So, if they're waiting untill the last hill, Kennaugh migth have a chance of following to hold on to his jersey! One thing's for sure; there wont be BIG time differences.
Since the break is now in sight, Vanspeybroeck, Gaywood and Mares are trying to leave their compagnions behind now.
Now, this is weird, right after the decent, Caruso attacks... Why didnt he do that on the hill?
Hermans, Vandenbroeck and Kennaguh are among the first to follow, as they go past some riders of the break - Mares is now along up front.
Going up the final hill for the final time (6.5km left) Gaywood has taken over the lead, shortly folloed by a groupe with Mares and Vanspeybroeck who are just being reached by Vandenbroeck, Hermans, Kennaugh, Ginanni and Bazajev. The pack is '50 back with all other favourites in there.
Onto the hill though, all gaps are closed as van Heerden, Flugel, Ventoso and Roche make their jump.
Over the top (as van Ooien takes the KOM jersey) Ginanni has about 30 seconds lead over the rest, who are all still pretty much together.
Schumacher leads a chase groupe qith Duque, Wyss, Gil, Caruso, Gilbert and Visconti added to the names previously mentioned. Kennauh is trying to bridge now, but the finish is very close - it migth be too late for him. Ginanni? He is still '36 away, and seems out of reach.
Ginanni wins the stage, and takes the jellow jersey with it. Has he taken an option for the overall victory as well?
A good half minute later, Flugel leads in the chasers. Will any of these have another go tomorrow, on the flats? They'll have to it they want to win...
Kennaugh finishes in the pack - lead in by Muravjev +- 1'30 behind - and loses his jersey. He can't complaing though, having worn it three days.
