Two stages left, today will be quite a trial for the riders as we have fairly torrential rain lashing down on the riders.
The main talking point is probably the battle for the points jersey with Danilo Napolitano Mark Cavendish
and Gerald Ciolek
on 73, 63 and 60 points looking to challenge for that crown. The question is can any of those teams be bothered to chase a break.
Five riders take up the challenge in the rain including 16th on GC and 10.07 back Mauricio Ortega
The break also includes Roman Kilun Ben King Peter Möhlmann
and Luke Durbridge
Yesterday the break was doomed really by the presence of a top 20 GC man but today the pack really drop the ball somewhat allowing the lead to balloon to well over ten minutes making Ortega our virtual leader. This evokes memories of his shock Corsica International win in 2011, the Columbian takes 3rd at the first sprint behind Durbridge and the winner Kilun. Durbridge reverses this on Kilun at the second with Mohlmann third.
Behind VolksWagen begin to start pulling realising that they better start getting time back else Marzano is losing the lead!
30km to go and the gap is still 11.30, it has ruffled some feathers here and VolksWagen are looking angrily at Pirelli and Bianchi riders to help pulling. Red Bull are pointing out they have a man in the break and Kilun grabs the King of the Mountains prime over Ortega and Mohlmann. Kilun also takes the final spint ahead of Mohlmann and King.
After forcing the pace on the climb and following Kilun launches an attack on his recovering rivals, none can respond.
The climb has split the weary peloton Amaël Moinard Wilmer Vasquez Ole Hirschlein Egoitz Murgoitio Hubert Dupont
all have been dropped.
Also we notice the polka dot jersey of Gianpaolo Caruso
has fallen off the back of the pack with Ferrari again firmly on the defensive.
Meanwhile the four chasers to the leader on the road Kilun have the American pegged at about 35 seconds. Durbridge again seems to be the fall guy however.
Proximus Trek have moved to the front they have no chance of catching the break but 6th place is up for grabs and Cavendish may be able to steal some points off of Napolitano.
Into the last 3 kilos and Kilun is maintaining a 30 second advantage the others will have something left however.
King comes to the front Mohlmann is going to be a big sprint threat for Koppert.
But Kilun manages to just about hold the hordes off to take the stage win after a number of days out on the break. Mohlmann is second and Ortega, who'll make a big GC gain comes home third.
Red Bull stun the big name sprinters as Sonnery leads the pack home with Rizza of Ferrari, meanwhile Napolitano increases his points jersey credential finishing ahead of other big sprinters in 8th, Ciolek is 11th and Cav is 14th.
Caruso just about maintains his top ten position by latching onto the back of the pack, no doubt about it the Italian is really struggling towards the back end of this race.
