Stage Favourites:
*****Pineau(KOE) ****Petrov(DON) ***Durasek(7up)
**Rodriguez(CAC) *Pate(AER)

We end on the famous col du Mende today, with 20 KOM points on offer at the finish the stage winner will almost certainly move into the polkas!

The Finnish rider leads a 14 man break over the first climb of the day, the Cote de Montsalvy. He is joined in the break by: Bol, Noval, delaParte, Valjavec, Ladino, Beppu, Duyn, Louder, Preidler, von Hoff, Domalgalski, Kozontchuk and best placed in GC, Wytink (65th @ 19'00).

Any doubt about who is leading Bluebell Creamereies was quenched with 116 kilometres to go. Vandborg fell and had to make his way back to the peloton on his lonesome.

Nys, who is wearing the green jersey, fell earlier in the stage but is now helping out to reel in the break. With 85 kilometres to go and the break @ 7'15 Aer Lingus and Petro China begin to chase.

For much of the next 30 kilometres the peloton, inch by inch, close in on the break. Random attacks by the aggressive Mizbani get nowhere.

Domagalski attacked the rest of the break before being wound in at the top of the climb by Kozontchuk and co. Kozontchuk now lead the KOM competition with 9 points.

With 8.5 kilometres to go and the steep col du Mende still to come the break have 2'31 over the peloton.

All the attacking sees the break's advantage cut immediately and T-Mobile begin to set a fierce pace on the peloton.

Popovych looks to be going the quickest. BUT, the 14 man break is really stretched and from the rear of the former break to the head there is '15.

Veikkanen launches his final effort first can he hold on from the rest of the break and the peloton......?

No..... IT IS A STAGE WIN FOR AVIVA - RYANAIR!

Despite Veikkanen looking the strongest on the final climb, Valjavec was clearly holding something back and the crafty veteran came round to take the win and the lead in the KOM competition. After a horrendous time on the cobbles this is a great result for Aviva and it will do team morale no troubles.

Popovych was strongest out of the big favourites and gains '10 over his rivals as break away riders and the GC men litter the top 15.

Stage Favourites:
*****Petrov(DON) ****Pineau(KOE) ***Rodriguez(CAC)
**Pate(AER) *El Fares(KOE)

A hilly race will really see the GC men come to the front today.

The Semen rider is joined by: Wurf, Louder, Duyn, Biondo, Iglinskiy, Veikkanen, Anza and Reus for the break of the day.

85 KM to go: the break @ 7'20...

Aer Lingus and Lectrosonics up the pace.

and joins up with the yellow jersey group. Morkov thought it necessary to put in an attack after he was dropped on the narrow roads. Despite his team being on the front earlier on Pate has also been dropped..... but he would regain contact. Despite Lectrosonics sacrificing their domestiques for Jerome all the GC men are together on the final climb apart from El Fares/ Petrov. The remains of the break are holding well.

Attacks come out of the peloton from: Pineau, Pate and Popovych.

With 12 kilometres to go Ghyselinck puts in an attack on the final hill and the others slow up knowing they can't distance the yellow jersey today. All this plays into the break's hands and they will surely contest the finish.

After being caught Mizbani puts in an attack again but would end up in no mans land.....

After a dismal first week two wins on the bounce sees the Irish team rocket up the UC rankings thanks to a win from Iglinskiy. Pineau would lead the peloton home on another great day for Koenigsegg - Libero. Yellow jersey Ghyselinck takes over 10 points to retain a healthy lead in the points competition.

2 second places for Veikkanen in 2 stages.....