Into the hills we go, and Valverde must know that today is his shot, last time we eneter the hills he got so close to gapping Intxausti, can he finally do so today. The end is nigh and currently Intxausti is in the box seat. Trofimov has also been claiming bonus seconds to move forwards, today he will aim to claim the stage, and as he is now just 30 seconds off a top 5, what a result that would be. Rodriguez Oliver is the other favourite, although I suspect he will have to look after Lovkvist today, who is trying to get into the top 15.
The break is popular today as 43 seperate riders attack on the first climb, over the top 14 are together, Panayatov, Anton and Ochero Quinto lead the way, the peleton is just 80 seconds off and chasing hard
All together on the downhill
Schreurs, Barton and Hernandez Gutierrez go clear before the next climb
Barton is first over the top, Schreurs third, while seconds name is just above and long, the peleton is 6 minutes back now
People attack for the points in the peleton, then push on: Fedrigo, Ortega, Hacecky, Barredo, de la Fuente, Tenorio, trofimov, Amador and Rujano. Wow this is a big move
Domina fly forwards as Schleck fears for his podium spot
What??? Disaster
Off the back, it's Golden as Intxausti has fallen, Vesuvio drop everyone back but the pace is massive at the momment
as we top the next climb the gaps hover at about 1 minute for the attackers, while Intxausti is 3 minutes back
Hernandez Guitterez takes the sprint from Scheurs and Barton
Amador leads the chasers through at a minute 30
The peleton at 2'25"
Intxausti at 5'21" he is in serious trouble now
he finds some companions but can't make any headway on the peleton
Who are now closing on the attackers
The breakaway are pulled back in by the attackers
On this long decending bridge the advantage is down to 30 seconds
Rujano, Amador Trofimov is the order at the sprint point, which causes the 7 leaders to drop their companions
50km to go and Intxausti is solo
This is a vicious climb and Brajkovic is killing himself to get back on terms
Trofimov beats Rujano and Tenorio to the top
Hacecky lets go, while the attack brought the rest more time
and Hacecky is back, the peleton is down to just 36 people
With a thirty second advantage, the attackers hit the final climb
Abal attacks straight away, the break are in sight, their gamble today has done nothing but destroy Intxausti
As he pushes past the break, Barredo tries to follow
Now Plaza makes his move
Barredo gets clear of his companions but Abal is ahead
Plaza gets across the gap as Karpets and Lopez Garcia follow
Now all of the break attack
As do Pellizotti and Schleck
Rujano, Trofimov and Tenorio make it to Abal
And past they go
Abal tries to get back with Amador as Schleck closes
We have a 4 man lead over the top, Trofimov, Rujano, Abal and Amador
Behind a large group has formed, Lopez Garcia and Contador are attacking
We have 8 chasers 30 seconds back: Schleck, Valverde, Contador, Lopez Garcia, Arroyo, Tenorio, Plaza and Pellizotti
Contador tries to hold back the chase and allows another 7 on: Lovkvist, Perez Cuapio, Karpets, De la Fuente, Marzano, Van Huffel and Txurukka
10km to go and these 4 have a minute 13
Madrazo and Barredo now join the chasers, Contadors slowing work done, he hands over the Schleck who also doesn't chase
As the gap hits 90 seconds Tenorio and Plaza attack
Lovkvist and Lopez Garcia respond
5km left for the leaders
When the sprint kicks off Trofimov is in last, but comfortably the best sprinter
Amador goes into the lead, Trofimov seems unable to get round
600 metres to go and Abal goes for the line
He's alongside as they aproach the finish
But takes an epic victory, clearly not being in a break all day helped him there
Amador is 2nd with Trofimov third
Rujano is 11 seconds later in 4th. He's done well today
at 30 seconds Plaza and Lopez Garcia come in
Then Lovkvist and Tenorio at +50"
Pellizotti wins the 15 man sprint at 1'45"
5 minutes 41 down Intxausti crosses the line, dreams shattered, cycling isn't fair
It's all change on the GC then as Valverde takes first, Rujano jumps two spots to 2nd and Schleck stays third. Trofimov and Abal move into the top 5 while Inxausti is now 8th, Amador moves into the top 10.
