If yesterday's stage wasn't for the sprinters, this really should be. There's a bunch of hills in the beginning of the race, but that's it. After that, it's dead-flat. What could spice it up is if the race favourites are giving it a go to take some seconds on Zabriskie.
A lot of riders tried attacking at the beginning of the race, but some teams didn't like seeing 10 riders go. The P gave up the chase after a while, but that just made even more riders attacking - which made the peloton chase again. On the first hill, all the breakaway riders were caught.
A bunch of riders followed up with Boom taking the mountain points, Barredo 2nd and Mandri third. It turned out only to be for the points, though, as the riders dropped back afterwards. Moments later, a break was finally let go: Roberts, Joseph and Christensen in one group. In front of them, Chtioui, Vila, Vande Velde, Van Winden, Zampieri, Talabardon, Thomson and Summerhill in another group.
As they reached the 2nd Mountain Sprint with 103 km to go, they had built up a gap of 8'29 to the P. The sprint was won by Chitouti with Talabardon 2nd and Summerhill 3rd - meaning that Lars Boom with 10 points on the first hill top takes over the Mountain Shirt.
Despite being under pressure by 15th placed Van Winden, Wikipedia didn't seem to be bothered much. So instead, Domina Vacanze and Philips took over the front and started reducing the gap. And that certainly made a difference. With 30 km to go, the gap was down to 3'45 and decreasing.
Realizing that they would probably be caught, the riders in front started attacking. It wasn't to much use, though, although it did last for a little longer than it would have otherwise. With 11 km to go, they were all caught. As on Stage 2, some riders had had trouble with getting over the hills, including Rasmussen, Kip, Bos and Brammeier.
With 2.5 km to go, the sprint started with Gautier in front followed by Lagutin, Coyot (leading out for Loddo), Van Loocke and Ladagnous.
With 1 km to go, the sprint is more equal than usually! It's Loddo in front of Van Loocke and Lagutin - and then a large group of Rizza, Phinney, Chicchi, Breschel, Aulas and more.
Loddo is too strong and takes 2nd dominantly. But the fight for 2nd is extreme - in the end, it's Chicchi ahead of Bellis, Van Loocke and Phinney.
