Hopefully the tough middle of the course will serve to eliminate many sprinters, and I can get a good result.

A 4 man break got away. Orbe got dropped on the 2nd climb but got back later.


With 8km left, Arango sprinted forward to offer protection. He was quickly out of energy but I was up front.


Luckily Suarez was bringing up water and got to me just as Arango dropped back. Jarlinson was following Yellow Jersey Hivert.


He went for the early sprint, while I waited for the hill.


It was all going very well. Pantano was going quickly but was blocked. This took him out of his rhythm.


With a perfect leadout Hofland was always going to take the win for Blanco. I was trying to beat at least some of the Sojasun train.


But they held on for an extraordinary swoop of places 2-5. I came 6th while Pantano was 11th.

Based on what we've seen so far this should end in a sprint.

5 riders tried to break away and succeeded.


Navardauskas was the last to be caught when Chaves and me tried to leave the peloton with 24km to go.


I was finally caught on the last climb before the finish.


Pantano was in a good position, following Lasca.


He tried to wheel hop but was left back.


And it was Hivert who won following Sky's perfect train.


Jarlinson finished 6th but would've been 4th with a few more metres.

The Queen Stage. All the sprinting has increased our appetite for this stage, now let's go!

A 7 man break. With Pate in it, they have a nice chance. Seeing this, 2 other riders joined up to make it 9.


With 62km to go a flat for Chaves! He was never out of the peloton though.


He was caught out in a split with 53km to go.


Jagoba crashes at the same time.


Suarez brings Esteban up to the front with 41km to go.


Surprisingly Esteban is still stronger, and stays up front as the break is caught on the Cat. 1.


Of course Pate is the last to be caught. Gesink makes a move with Spilak a bit up front.


I was in the Yellow Jersey Group over the Cat. 1, while Esteban was further ahead.


He catches Inxtausti on the downhill as they set about catching the leaders.


And they've done it at the base of the next climb. They have 1'09" on Me and Pantano's group of 27.


We get dropped with 11km to go.


The favourites have 1'16 on the next group, but others are coming fast.


Trofimov and Moreno join up just as Esteban tires out.


I leave my group to catch group Yellow & White jersey, but I can't go the distance.


With a teammate behind, Spilak goes on the attack.


The others attack and Chaves is left behind.




Spilak takes a tight victory, while Chaves is left behind for 6th.


I come home, exhausted, in 23rd.

So my Spanish season is over. Before my next race, I'm going back home to see my family and a certain young boy.

So I was browsing the news and found this. Good to see they haven't just let it die.