Darwin did ok in Catalunya.

Fabio Melani


Virgilijus Grazhys


Robinson Chalapud


Jeffry Johan Romero


Jarlinson Pantano


Michael Rodriguez Galindo


Juan Pablo Valencia


Dalivier Ospina

Like every stage, this one suits me well. Today is all about discovering the form of my rivals.

First order of business, the breakaway. 3 riders this time.

Hernandez (TST)
Charteau (EUC)
Keizer (VCD)


I missed the first attacks, which were 60km out. I wasn't a big problem though.


But the gap continued to grow, and (of course) I attacked on a long downhill.


I wasn't doing too well, so I dropped back to the peloton. Rodriguez and Ospina set up our relay, but still to no avail!

I tried to attack on the last climb. It didn't last, but I did cause a split. 64 in the peloton now.

Our whole team was going at full pace to bring back the escapees, but even at that speed, we were growing further apart.


Henao took a solo win.

Today needs to be about clawing back that time lost yesterday.

Pierrick Fedrigo (FDJ) launched a solo break. He was then joined by Thomas Voeckler to complete the day's escapees.


19 riders fell back with 60km to go, including Jeffry and Juan Pablo.


On the last climb, Fedrigo and Westra were in the lead. Followed by two soloists, Dan Martin, and then yours truly. The gap from the front to the peloton was at this point 1'12.


The favourites' group up the chase with 5km to go. 12 riders were in this group, but not including Henao.


With 2km left the sprint started. Sagan got the early jump and there was no catching him. I had all my energy, but was unfortunately in a bad position, leading out the sprint.


The Slovak took the win, while further behind 11 men were fiercely battling for 2nd.


It was Edvald Boasson Hagen, followed by Michal Kwiatkowski. I was 9th.

Not the best day, but also not the worst. A top 10, and no time lost. Fair enough

This stage should be the easiest, but we all have to be on our guard.

We had a 4 man breakaway today.


With 42km left, the first big splits occurred. E2 had 18, while all of us were in a 26 man E3, and behind that was the peloton with 73.

There were several big names in our group, so we were always going to get back.


Everything was back together at the 25km mark.


My solo pace created the favourites' group. 16 riders made the cut.


The real attacks came from firstly Nibali, followed by Sagan and me.


I'd stupidly wasted a lot of energy trying to stay in the Slovak's wheel, instead of riding a couple of metres behind him. It seemed that this act of stupidity had cost me a Top 2.


I caught the last of the breakaway. It seemed like I could get 3rd, but I had now used up my reserves.


The rest of the favourites started to gain on me, and it was an attack from Chris Froome which finally got me.


Cannondale took the win today with their superstar puncher, while I was still holding off the charge behind.


Oh the cruelty! With 50m left I was 3rd, and I ended 13th. Same time though, so not a huge problem.

This is the hardest stage, so I need to stay as far up as I can and not lose too much time.

The break of the day features 6 this time.


With the first split there were 78 left in the peloton. Jeffry and the out-of-form Robinson were left behind.


I was in a bad position when the attacks started. The game plan was already out.


It just didn't seem to be my day. Over the penultimate climb, Ryder Hesjedal from the break led Froome, Martin and Kelderman, while Valverde was solo just ahead of the peloton.


I got away with Moreno (KAT) into the middle, but that didn't last.


Nibali took the win in a very close finish ahead of Costa and Froome.


I was last in E2, hut happily in the same time.

Not my finest hour, but it's fine that I stayed in the same time as most of the favourites.

This stage suits me well, but the stamina of riders will really be important here.

Today the break was 5 strong.

With 100km to go, Jarlinson crashed, but never actually fell behind the peloton.


Again I wasn't good enough to stay with the attacks, while it was becoming more clear that the break would win.


I finally left the peloton, and began my quest to catch the attackers. Unfortunately I was caught by the bunch.


It was a tired Peter Stetina who crossed the line first.


Nibali came 3rd, as the best of the favourites.


I finished in the peloton again.

I'm glad I get a bit of a rest now, with the Ardennes next for me - giving a nice break. Just what I need

The last stage is an ITT. I have to try my best to keep my place in the GC.

Very surprisingly, Juan Pablo was provisionally the best at both the check and the finish!


So, it was time for me to go. It felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. I needed to prove myself after Navarra, and I also had to make myself believe that I was a stage racer, not a pure climber. My form in time-trials has been poor, so I needed to turn that around.


I was riding comfortably, so I was eagerly listening on the team radio to hear my time.
"Wait what!? Impossible!" I thought, as I heard Sean Kelly talking over the team radio. 1st! 14" to Bauke Mollema in 2nd.

But this was just the check. I needed to stay focused.


And I crossed the line, looking up at the board of times. 1st again! Just 5 seconds to Eddy Boss (TST). But I couldn't get too excited - this was just provisional, and Tejay van Garderen was carving it up right behind me.


And he did take it, but by what a time! 1 minute 3 to me in 2nd!

Well there's the end of my Spanish journey. Now time for the Ardennes!