We started badly, with Esteban taking a tumble before the break even formed. After a while, he managed to get back.


A 12 man Lotto-dominated break was the first to get a real gap.


But of course a break with 4 riders from the same team was too dangerous, and that group was caught. 5 riders were the eventually the break of the day. Nieve was part of this group.


Piedra launched a late attack for Caja Rural just as the break was caught.


With 10km to go we were the only team with an organised train.

Pantano - Jagoba - Grazhys - Me


With 5km to go, we were still in a great position thanks to Pantano.


Oh no! In all honesty, Jagoba is just here because it's a home race, and since Jarlinson was trying to save the boy's energy, he slowed down and allowed Herrada to make a monster effort for Katusha.


Grazhys put in a great effort and it was time for me to go.

I haven't felt so much pressure for a long time. I felt my legs tense up, and I thought my race was over. But no, this was my time. I wasn't going to choke. I got out of my saddle and went.


Knowing that the 2nd line was the actual finish, I could time my move well. However, Vigilijus is just too good, and I couldn't get past him.


Vorganov took the win ahead of Reynes. Grazhys 4th and me 6th.

A fairly easy stage to start us off. A slightly uphill finish means that Jarlinson may have a good chance.

A 3 man break with Hunter, Kroon and Pasqualon.


The Italian was dropped at the first climb. Hunter won the Mountain and Final Intermediate Sprint, while Kroon took the first two sprints.


The Saxo rider is the last to be caught with 11km to ride.


I try an attack on the penultimate climb, but the pace was too high to get away.


With 3km to go, I am isolated up front, with Arango the only Colombia rider near.


However Pantano goes with an extraordinary burst of speed, at 60km/h. Arango is just behind at 59km/h.


And our boy takes the win! A great sprint from the puncher!


I finish on the right hand side under Avila's sweaty armpit. I couldn't really get through with all the congestion there.

A very good day for the team, with 1st and 5th.

A more hilly route for today, and we should see the first gaps start to take shape.

7 riders got away, but were caught after quite a long time.


Which left Celis to go on a solo break.


He was caught with 10km left.


Chaves led our move with 4km to go.


Pantano gave me a leadout, but we were caught with 1.5km. The very hard final climb was starting and there was a group of 11 up front.


I was staying up front but there were a number of riders who still hadn't launched their sprint. Javi Moreno was leading up most of the climb but didn't seem to have much stamina left.




And he took the win! I was 6th and Jarlinson just took 8th.