With the first KoM sprint 6km into the stage, attacks happened as soon as the flag dropped, with Dominik Nerz (BMC), Simon Yates (BRB) and Miguel Minguez (EUS).

Belkin and Lotto again took control of the peleton, and it was clear that the big teams were not threatened by the day's breakaway men.

The large number of sprints on the route meant that there was a good level of competition at each point, with all three of the escapees wanting to take maximum points.

The peleton kept a nice steady pace over the course of the route, as a number of different teams took turns on the front.

The rivalry at each of the sprint points continued on, with the large crowd cheering on the riders on each lap.

Despite the constant attacks and sprints, the trio worked well together, but it was clear the pace was slowing the more the stage went on.

Yates was the first to crack, losing contact with the break just before the final KoM and Intermediate sprint of the stage. Luckily, he has done enough to claim the jersey for tomorrow's stage.

Simon was the first to be brought back with 16km to go, and the other two shortly followed with 12km to the finish.

Just like yesterday, we hit the front and took control of the lead-out.

However, there was a small different to yesterday... the other teams struggled to get organised and we were in prime position for the sprint.

The sprint was manic, with Bos just winning the stage, ahead of Tony Gallopin (RLT) in second and a magnificent ride from Lavery earns him a podium place in 3rd!

As planned, Simon got himself into the break, but sadly had some big riders with him, in the form of J.J. Cobo (MOV) and Lars Bak (LTB).

Behind, more attacks came out of the peleton, with Alex Howes (GRS), Julien El Fares (SOJ) and Stefan Reichenbach (IAM) trying to bridge the gap.

All six formed a larger group on the climb to Coll des Tords, and began working well to open up the gap on the peleton.

Suddenly, the pace was upped by BMC. Just after the Cat.3 climb of Coll des Tords, thy hit the front hard. Were they worried about the strength of Cobo and Howes? Or were they wanting it pulled back to limit Nerz's point deficit in the KoM classification?

The higher pace took its toll on some riders. Haritz Orbe (EUK) would be one of 6 riders to finish over 45mins down on the day's winner and outside the time limit.

Knowing that the peleton was on the hunt for the break, the decision was made to drop Yates back to the main pack. The stronger climbers in the break had destroyed all hope of a major points haul, but there was hope he will be still in the jersey tomorrow.

The catch of the break was made at the base of the climb of Coll de Soller, and a moment of calm fell over the peleton as BMC turned down the heat at the front.

Order was not restored for long, as Contador (TST) attacked off the front with David Arroyo (CJR) on his wheel.

The two Spanish riders went over the top of the Coll de Soller, with Yuri Trofomov (KAT) and Peter Velits (OPQ) for company. This was a dangerous group.

Suddenly the TV coverage went down! We had to rely on team radio, and attacks were happening all over the final climb to Coll de Puig Major. Dan Martin (GRS) seemed to be off the front, with Villella part of a larger 10 man group of favourites further down the climb

When pictures resumed, Martin was all on his own, descending to the victory. Robert Gesink (BEL) was 50 seconds back with Michel Kwiatkowski another 45 seconds behind him.

Villella was our highest placed rider on the road and was riding in a 5 man group on the descent to the finish in a battle for 12th place.

At the front, there was no stopping the Irishman Martin, who comfortably takes the win. Villella would eventually cross the line in 13th place. Fantastic result for him.

I couldn't have been happier with Simon at the start of the stage today. He was tired, but with the Polka Dots on his shoulders, he had a little extra to give. He was part of a dangerous 8 man break, which also included David Arroyo (CJR) and Julien El Fares (SOJ).

Eight became ten, as Franco Pellizotti (AND) and François Parisien (ARG) jumped across the gap. This was a break with a lot of climbing prowess for Simon to contest for this KoM jersey.

With a Yellow Jersey to defend, Garmin took the main control of the peleton, which some help from Lotto and Belkin.

On the first climb, the gap continued to rise, almost reaching the 7 minute mark as the break ascended to the top.

Let battle commence for Simon! Arroyo and El Fares were out to get his KoM jersey, and we were having none of it. Round 1 to Yates!

Round 2 and Arroyo tried to go for a long attack for the top of the Coll de Puig Major, but Simon was on it like a flash, comfortable taking maximum points in the process. Two out of two climbs was enough for 47 points. No one could catch him now.

Further down the climb, Radioshack had taken control and upped to pace in the chase of the breakaway.

With job done, Simon decided to let the others fight over the points on the Coll de Soller. Jonathan Fumeaux (IAM) wanted to get in on the action, attacking Arroyo on the climb.

With a long descent off the final climb of Coll d'Honor, Radioshack knew that the break was still dangerous and began to turn the screw.

The increased pressure caused fractures in the peleton, as large groups dropped off the back.

20km to go and the break had only 1'22 over the peleton. Surely it would not be off the front much longer.

The big teams must have been worried about the break though. Even stage favourite Theo Bos (BEL) was helping in the chase back, along with Daniele Bennati (TST).

10km to go, and less than a minute gap! Time for the last ditch attempts at staying off the front and in the fight for the stage win. Baliani (PPO) kicked first, with Pellizotti sticking close to his wheel.

Sadly for Simon, this little accelerations were the killer! He lost contact with the wheel of Arroyo at the 4km to go mark, and he just had to hope he could hold off the chasing peleton.

How the break stayed away is anyone's guess. They hit the Flamme Rouge with a 50 second gap. The victory would be between Arroyo, Pellizotti and Duran (EFG).

Victory Arroyo! The Spanish rider just beats the Italian National Champion Pellizotti to line, with Duran rounding off the podium. Simon was sadly caught with 50metres to go, and finishes in the peleton along with Villella and brother Adam.