This is an easier finish, but a tough stage overall. After yesterday's effort I'm not in the best shape, so hopefully we can avoid that type of experience.

7 riders went in the break.


Adam Hansen was caught with 11km to go. Our train was looking very good again, which tends not to be a good thing


Although this does tend to be a good thing. We had a great lead with 3km to go. I was caught behind a little bit though, so I was struggling to get back.


Unfortunately I was still stuck behind though, and the rest of our train had also fallen back.


Julian Kern took the win.


I finished 10th just behind Van Rensburg.

Today is all about tomorrow. I'm just trying to keep myself in the best possible shape for that all-important stage.

6 riders went in the break.


After getting the team's water for the first time in the last couple of years, I - no longer in the green jersey - positioned myself behind Christian as Jarlinson led us forward. Everyone was very tired.


With 8.7km still to go, Jarlinson was out of gas, and Christian was getting there. With 4.2km left I'd managed to get to the front area.


I followed Van Rensburg, looking for maybe a top 5.


Movistar had done it perfectly. They would claim a 1-2.


Yep; Swift was the one who took win. I finished in 13th. Now looking solely towards tomorrow.


Also, Edwin was the best in the group after the peloton.

This is the Queen Stage. Van Rensburg won't be at the front today for sure. Whoever wins this stage will win the race.

8 riders went in the first breakaway. They were caught with 40km to go.


All my teammates were struggling to bring me water, so with 30km to go I jumped up to get my own. I decided that I'd made a nice gap, so I kept going. Andrew Talansky was following me, while Jarlinson was in the next group back.


A very dangerous descent met my future teammate and me. To say he was wheel-sucking would be an understatement; I was doing all the work.


I decided to go be risky and take the corners very quickly to try and get him to chicken out and fall behind.


Unfortunately the best riders in the world aren't usually chicken. He was stuck on me like superglue.


I was trying to get him to take the lead, but just as I dropped off, he attacked. Race tactics I must applaud.


I tried to catch him but eventually I was dead. I tried to save energy for the last climb. I was expecting a very tough trip upwards.


I could see him ahead but my legs were burning. I didn't know what I wanted at that point.


With 6km left I was caught by Van den Broeck.


I continued to go up the mountain, but this I really felt like I was going to die.


Talansky took a very impressive win.


I crossed the line, a dejected man. 3rd man in the line for the buses, but it felt like 3rd in the line for heaven. The toughest day of my career for sure.