Today's break away includes Rutkiewicz (CCC) looking to secure the King of the Mountains competition. With him were 5 other strong escapees, Nieve (OGE), Nokkvason (EUC), Castroviejo (MOV), Garate (BEL) and Mendes (TNE)

Castroviejo (MOV) takes full points in a relatively uncontested sprint, which won't play an important factor in the race.

Only the CCC rider in the polka dot makes an effort at the KOM but Garate still manages to beat him a cross the line.

Disaster! Degenkolb the race leader hits the deck! All but 2 Argos riders retreat to get him back into the peloton. He was going to struggle to hold but it becomes almost certain now.

And they struggle because Champion Systems put 4 guys on the front and put down the pedal, there will be some very angry people at the end of the race. The break only has 1'15".

The breakaway are reeled in early, around 40km to go due to the upping of pace on the uphill sections.

Over the top of KOM where the break where caught we have 34km remaining. Valverde, Clarke, Pozzovivo and Van den Broeck go clear on the descent. Pellizoti attacks a few ks later and joins up with the group.

The five escapees stay out in front and the peloton starts to split on the 1st Cat KOM climb.

Valverde uses his speed to fragment the group who clearly can't keep up.

Mollema joins Valverde on descent while the others are struggling 2 minutes back. The peloton is another minute back from them as they go through the last KOM. They have a short downhill before they rise uptil the finish

The duo work well but with around 3km left Valverde decides its time to push on and does without response

These are the riders that are fighting for 3rd place.

Oreste Ghita

Pierre Rolland

Thomas Peeters

Franco Pellizotti

Rui Costa

Christophe Riblon

Samuel Sánchez

Domenico Pozzovivo

Rinaldo Nocentini

Laurens Ten Dam

Jurgen Van den Broeck

David Arroyo

Gorka Verdugo

Diego Rosa

Johann Nokkvason

Valverde wins the stage and also the overall GC for Movistar. Mollema rolls in just a minute later to take 2nd overall.

Ghita (ARG) takes 3rd on the stage just piping Rolland (EUC) on the line.