Again we are in for an easy flat stage.

Avery (CCS) is the first to attack. He is followed by Peron (TNN) and Reguigui (MTN). They are joined by Stamsnijder (ARG) but are anti-climatically caught.


Peron and Avery do make it into the break though, along with youngster Kim Tan (RVL).


And the rookie stamps his mark by winning the Intermediate Sprint.


18 riders are dropped with 28km to go due to the high pace. They end up getting back though.


The break is still away 5km out. Surely they won't make it though, as the peloton is right behind them. 24 seconds is the gap, while again there is no sign of organisation for the sprint.


Finally the escapees are brought back with 3.5km to go, thanks to Bol (BEL). His team will be looking for a much better performance than yesterday, and Harrini is counting on that. Meanwhile, Guido changes tastes and hangs on to Europcar in hopes they will again deliver a good result - although yestarday wasn't at all thanks to their train.


This time Leezer gets through, and Belkin have it all to themselves as there is carnage on the left hand side. Felline brings Androni back with Pelucchi (IAM) and Modolo (BAR) sitting there too. Where are Saxo!?


There they are! This is record breaking! Erik McDermott comes out of nowhere flying through the field! They have him clocked at 75 kp/h. Bennati obviously couldn't hold on.


But the American's luck isn't there. He is blocked by Leezer dropping back, and then Coquard. Calzone is looking good for the stage win with just 300m to go.


And it's there for the Italian! He beats Coquard and Bos to the line, while Harrini is a very impressive 4th, followed closely by an (almost ) equally impressive Guido. Dane McDermott has to somehow settle for 7th even after a record-breaking sprint.