Oh Damn.......... Is what the riders must have been thinking when they left the start ramp knowing they would have 215 kilometres to ride in awful conditions.

However, this didn't stop many earlier attempts from riders to get into the break. Macias (TCL), Vigano (RBL) and Bagdonas (ALS) once again were the first riders to attack.

Plenty of early attacks were brought back by the peloton. For the first time in the race Quilmes were riding on the front, thinking that today was the day for Richese. Also KOM jersey wearer Puccio (BZQ) was prominent in bringing back early breaks.

With 45 kilometres into the race an 8 man break had an advantage of 2:20 over the peloton, they were: Nazaret/ Rogelin (BDB), Valach (STM), Radochla (TNA), Colex (TCL), Xu (PCA), Gabrovski (SSL) and Jorgenson (IKO) who was best placed @ 4'39, this looked to be the break of the day, but then...... a four man counter attack comes out of the Standard Chartered lead peloton. They are Vigano (RBL), Bronis (STM), South Korean champ C.Jang (KAR) and Brazilian champ Bulgarelli (BDB).

With 150 kilometres to go, two breaks are ahead of the peloton as we reach the intermediate sprint at Diepe. No concern over the points, the breaks don't contest the sprint. Former Bulgarian champ Gabrovski takes full points. Behind in the peloton, despite only 3,2 and 1 points available a good 11 riders including Phinney and Hinault sprint for the points.

Intermediate sprint at Diepe:

With 135 kilometres to go both breaks form to make a 12 man group including 3 Banco do Brasil riders. In the peloton Bridgestone and Husky energy riders, probably because they missed the break, are helping out Standard Chartered and Kulalu by riding on the front of the peloton, as the gap grows to the break.

With 105 kilometres to go and the break @ 7'30, Kulalu decide that they don't want the break to gain anymore of an advantage and begin riding on the front with numbers. Limited help comes in the form of Chaves (PVE) and some Standard Chartered riders protecting the yellow jersey and thinking of Hinault.

Into the last 50 kilometres Kulalu are almost solely on the front using up six riders, they really fancy Hunter for the stage today. As the rain comes down harder and harder.....and harder, With 40 kilometres to go ....

the break is well in control and........ the day is over for Bronis in the break. He slides out on the slippery road, moments later in almost the identical spot Navadauskus (QMS) punctured and Delage (KAR) crashed.

With the lump before the finish to come, the rain pounding the road and the break only @ just over a minute Perodua attacks. It is Durbridge, he joins up with the break and there is under 20 kilometres to go. 12 kilometres to go and the break reaches the little climb with around 1 minute over the peloton.

Kulalu are in total control of the peloton with 8 riders ahead of South African champion Hunter as they get up the climb, including Venter who crashed a while back. Over the top of the climb and Xu (PCA) attacks but the breakaway riders can follow when...........

there is a massive crash about 75 riders back in the peloton. Who is involved..OH.... Marczynski (AFL) and Arroyo go down real hard. Once again Rujano is caught up. The peloton appears to have slowed a bit, perhaps because of the crash or perhaps because Kulalu have burnt themselves out. The peloton swells slightly and it is looking good out front for Durbridge under 5 kilometres and he has an advantage of.......

23 seconds over the remaining break riders including Gabrovski and around 40 seconds over the peloton. When there is a 3 man attack out of the peloton....

the riders are Dombrowski (PCA), Blanco (NEL) and Tuft (QMS) they are gaining quickly with 1.5 kilometres to go on Durbridge. Could the stage winner come from this unlikely trio? With 1 kilometre to go realising it is now or never..........Thomas (PDA) attacks..

He quickly gains time and makes his way to the front of the race. Can he hold on?....with Phinney (Green Jersey), Hunter and Napolitano launching their sprints behind the race is far from over.....

Thomas holds on for the stage win, what a win, Perodua must be ecstatic. What a climax to the race......but not for some Marczynski and Silin (AFL), Arroyo (KAR) and Wetterhall (KLO) retired after the stage due to injuries picked up in the crash.

Suprising Dombrowski holds on for seconds while Phinney takes third place extending his lead in the points competition. Gadret (TNA) finished in the front group, along with GC contenders Siutsou (ALS), Brambilla (HEY), Spilak (NEL) and Nieve (PCA).

Despite being near the rear of the front group coming into the final Rosseler holds on to the yellow jersey, the top 10 again changes.

STAGE RESULTS:

STAGE POINTS:

ULTRA CLASSIFICATION STAGE:

OVERALL GC:

OVERALL POINTS:

OVERALL YOUNG RIDER

Puccio "15 over Phinney

OVERALL TEAM:
BEZEQ

ULTRA CLASSIFICATION OVERALL: