A massive crash destroys the peloton. It is a huge one. The main reason being it started only 6 riders back.

HUNTER is the first big name spotted to go down. But he is not alone. Petacchi, Sami Sanchez and Hinault are soon spotted on the deck. Some are worse off than others. Scarponi is motionless and not looking good the same can be said for Zaballa.

The cameras pan back to the head of the race and Ballan is a country mile ahead of everyone. It seems Engoulvent and Leukemans are watching each other behind as a 23 man group including the original break, Hushovd, Henderson and Millar come up to them.

But there is no doubt about the winner. Ballan solos to victory and will take the leader's jersey for EMI with a strong ride.

Leukemans and Fast Freddy lead home the next group. With no GC contenders in the first 25 riders finishing the peloton regroups and slowly makes its way to the finish with plenty of battle scars, they finish 4 minutes down on Ballan.

Ballan takes the GC lead despite Millar doing well to stay upright and avoiding the crash.

That wraps up an action packed and infamous stage 2.

The first stage where the GC men will come to the front.

STAGE 3: Faustino - Eibar 152 KM

With the Alto de Arrade climb at 4.5 kilometres averaging 8.8% and summiting 1 kilometre from the finish the GC men will fight it out on this hilly stage.

Even though Henderson, Curvers, Escobar and Serri were of only 24 riders to be under 1:30 down in GC they still tried to get into the break of the day. But Dan Petrov of EMI wouldn't allow it and singlehandedly brought them back.

Dan Petrov leads a strange five man break over the top of the Puerto de Bernedo climb with 115 kilometres to go. The other men are Chavanel, Tankink, Charteau and race leader Ballan. They are quickly caught.

With 105 kilometres to go Perry and Hayman are allowed to get away from the bunch.

Hushovd beats Rebellin, points jersey wearer Leukemans and Florencio to gain the one sprint point on offer at Urquiano 90 kilometers from the finish.

Before Zirbel of France Sport attacks out of the peloton.

He rides across to form the official break of the day with Perry and Hayman.

With 30 kilometres to go Medici drops back to the grupetto as Hunter takes it easy and takes a drink.

Liberia, KAS, Standard Chartered and Aer Lingus are the main teams working on the front of the peloton. But no real chase means the three man break have 3:20 with 26 kilometres to go.

IT IS TOMMY TIME.

Over the last bump before the final steep climb with 15 kilometres to go and the break @ 2:00 Tommy Voeckler attacks out of the peloton. Evans and Zubeldia also attack realising the danger.

Evans and Voeckler catch the break and have '10 over the peloton when they hit the final climb. Voeckler attacks again!

Cadel Evans just watches Voeckler as he disappears up the road, Evans waits for the other GC men to set the pace.

Evans misses the move. Sami Sanchez and then Chris Horner attack across to the wheel of the Frenchman. Although the American lucks to be suffering.

Horner is dropped as Voeckler puts in a big attack towards the top, Sanchez grits his teeth trying to hang on to the wheel. All of the other GC men are well out of contention and can only try and limit losses.

Voeckler has '10 over Sanchez as he crests the final climb, giving 100%.

Voeckler takes the win, what a gutsy ride. He wins '6 ahead of Sami Sanchez. Will these 2 battle it out for the GC?

Horner finishes 3rd a whopping '40 down, who would be the GC leader?

Alessandro Ballan would be. The Italian rode out of his skin to finish 7th on the stage and extends his GC lead over Millar.

The big losers on the day are Nocentini and Pelizotti , both having a really bad day in the hills.

All to plan then for Standard Chartered.