There was a pleasant surprise at the end of yesterdays stage as three riders got enough of a gap to register. That should give riders encouragement to attack on todays queen stage in Luxembourg, we have six categorised climbs to entice the riders too. The two ascents of Broderbour in the last 20 km should create some great opportunities for the favourites. The favourites for today are listed as Kirchen, Efimkin and Ponzi.
But early on it is the status quo, well apart from Moinard/Rovny's guest Julian El Fares! Grippo still wants in too but he isn't really at the races at the first prime.
Moinard - > Rovny - > El Fares - > Grippo
The next prime has the same foursome but jumbled up a bit, Rovny irratating Moinard still by nipping ahead of him and Grippo strengthening his well grip on third place by out pacing El Fares for third.
The KOM show continues!
As it has been for much of the race the vice like grip of the purple MIlka jerseys are in control. They now have the leaders jersey, as well as the Efimkin weapon in their arsenal they want it tight until the right time.
Ring those cow bells for Milka
Alas, it is the Rovny situation that is discomforting Moinard, he wants that jersey and he decides to go on the attack. It drags a number of riders with him...
A serious breakaway here
It is Moinard, Arekejev (Tinkov), Pavarin (Wiggle) and Tom Thill (Bacardi), unfortunately the Luxembourg youngster is out of shot. This looks like a decent move and other riders are awake to the possibility here, Trusov (Tinkoff) and Bagdonas (Bacardi) try to bridge.
Looking to make it six riders
They do not make it as the peleton speeds up, but not before Moinard attacks away and takes the next two primes.
Moinard is obsessed by KOM points!
In the absence of Rovny, Pavarin rolls over to collect the 3 point second place bounty and Arekejev is good enough to get third. Tom Thill picks up one of the points but is reeled in by the peleton therefore Rovny got the point there. The pace of the peleton is really high, but Moinard will collect one more prime at the top of the first ascent of the Broderbour.
Moinard puts the icing on the cake
The Milka man is the middle is Alex Efimkin, he not only takes second on this KOM point but also sneaks away. The other favourites are sluggish to react, it is only when a Pendletons man goes that Kirhcen and Ponzi move away.
Chase group of four forms
Moinard is still here at this point but begins to lose touch as they approach a little sprint prime before the second and last ascent of the Broderbour.
Efimkin has made quite a move here
The chasers seem more concerned over squabbling for second rather than chase down the Milka rider. Ponzi wins the squablle by the way!
Ponzi takes second, Kirchen third
Efimkin rides smoothly up the last ascent and over the other side it is evident that this could well be the stage winning move and possibly the moment of the race.
Alex the great?
Kirchen goes over the KOM prime in second over Vorganov and Ponzi but these riders are not making any impression on Efimkin.
Looks like these riders will have to battle for second place
Behind this the last uphill has split the peleton 18 - 13, it is Pendletons who seem to be everywhere on the front of the 18 group. The impetus is out of the 13 riders behind.
Split in peleton - probably will decide who gets in top 25!
Up front Efimkin keeps going to register a second successive Milka stage win!
Magical Milka - Efimkin with a brilliant escape
Kirchen will feel this one got away from him, he does managed to beat Ponzi in the sprint for second though. Vorganov did very well to join the favourites here and will be third on the GC at the end of the day.
