A group of 3 riders attacked at the beginning of the stage, as Pietropolli (LAM), Valls (VCD) and Pantano (COL) went off the front as soon as the flag dropped.

With a jersey to defend, Team Sky instantly set up the pace making, as the break slowly increased its lead.

Further attacks went off the front of the peleton, as Brandle (IAM) and Battaglin (BAR) faced the impossible to bridge the gap. After a long, hard ride, they finally reached the break just before the first KoM sprint.

Sky continued the pace making of the peleton, with not a single team offering to come and help them.

As the winds got stronger, the rain began to be fall on the stage. It was not going to be a good day in the saddle for the riders.

It would only be a matter of time before the weather began to affect the race. First Pietropolli hits the deck and has a long chase back to the break...

... and then Fedi falls on a tight bend. Luckily no one else in the peleton is brought down with him.

Villella rode the stage in a very sensible way. He never left Froome's side all day, and was constantly looked over by Linus.

As the peleton reached the final climb of the day, a group of 5 favourites, including Froome and Kangert (AST), attacked into the mist.

As the peleton descended onto the flat towards the finish, the break was still over 3 minutes in front. However, Froome had other thoughts in mind, as he attacked off the front again.

The break was almost forgotten about, as Battaglin sprints to the win, ahead of the rest. The main GC favourites, including Villella come home together, 2'37 down on the winner, but with no changes to the main end of the standings.

Final stage begins with a number of attacks, with Euser (UHC), Howson, Locatelli (BAR), Gallopin (RLT), Barta (TNE) and Pinotti (BMC) making up the breakaway.

Sky yet again took control of the pace making, as nicer weather looked in store for the riders on the final day.

It may have been nicer weather, but it was going to be a long stage for some. The peleton split on the short sharp climb to Mori, and that would be last time they would see the front of the race.

Kilometre after kilometre, Team Sky set the pace at the front of the peleton, as the time to the break reached its peak.

The first riders to try and test the control of Sky attacked on the Cat.2 climb to Brentonico. Sella (AND) made the first move, taking Fedi (FLA), T. Lofkvist (IAM) and Valls (VCD) with him.

Only two riders remained from the break after the climb to the top of Brentonico, as Gallopin and Euser pressed on to the finish.

All was on a level playing field as the peleton hit the climb to the finish. All remnants of the break had been pulled back, and Sky slowly began to split the peleton down the the stage favourites.

Here we go again! Froome puts in an acceleration and leaves everyone in his wake. It was clear that he was going to win the stage and the race, but the question was by how much? There was still 4km of climbing, and every pedal stroke added more time to the gap to the others.

Davide finally cracked with just over 1km to go to the finish. It was a brave effort, but now it was just about making sure he did not lose too much time to those around him.

Victory comfortably went to Froome, who won the stage by nearly 2'30, with Kangert finishing second and then Scarponi, a further 34" behind him. Villella finished the stage 28th, 8'09 down on Froome, but holds onto 12th on GC.