Flat again, but at 25km to go a faily steep 3km climb is in the way - a launchpad for some maybe, or just an annoyance for the sprinters who cant climb so well?
In order, the break is: Portal, Bole, Pinot, Gallego Martin, Kirsch, Kondrotas, Nooytens, Wiggins, Kocjan, Goddaert, Li, Rodriguez Parra and Le Mevel
Sprint 1:
Kocjan
Bole
Wiggins
Sprint 2:
Kocjan
Le Mevel
Wiggins
Now to the KoM. And Nestle's Portal takes it from Le Mevel and Kirsch. He thus shares the KoM jersey now with Pinot. Dissapoiting for the Frenchman, considering that he in this break, but reacted too slow and failed to score.
The climb impacts the peloton too. Festina sprinter Lavoine is dropped, and in a move of utter madness, Pozzato drops back to help him
Up front, Le Mevel, Portal and Bole press on. Pinot is in pursuit
In a repeat of Stage 1, its only Vesuvio chasing, and Bouet puts in an attack. And we know what happened in Stage 1...
Breakaway victory again then. Le Mevel leads out
Grega Bole is the strongest sprinter here, and in the position. He duly wins to take over the race lead
Pinot holds on to 4th, having been joined by a late attacker Baugnies
Roelandts then beats Ventoso and Swift for 6th. They get the time of Pinot, 59 seconds behind Bole
Missing though is Pozzato. He throws away his chances for the race, leading in the group 3'44 behind Bole.
Export results didnt work, so here are the results, in pictures.
