Shorter than yesterdays stage but with a similar uphill finish this stage is rated as a hilly one and again should suit Anthony Roux and the GC favourites, who need to attack to reduce especially Veloso`s advance
.
But also Bazajev might be able to surprise here as he also survived in the peloton on the last stage.
Some riders attacked ahead of the first intermediate and form the break of the day.
Kairelis (+4'39)
Pantano Gomez (+6'26)
Ellisonde (+11'19)
Kelderman (+12'13)
Pantano Gomez wins the first sprint ahead of Kelderman and Ellisonde.
Pirelli (Kinney), Vespa (Carrara) and Oz are doing the pace behind.
Second sprint of the day with Ellisonde leading the group over the line with Kairelis and Pantano Gomez following. No real battle again.
4 riders now from Oz Cycling are increasing the pace in the peloton now supported by Pirelli. What are the Australian`s planning today? Ford as 3rd is brilliantly placed and Thuaux is also within the favourites.
With 43km to go the advance is still 6'30. So the chance for another breakaway win is given. All 4 are working very well together.
Meanwhile Jayco RedBull have taken responsible in the peloton with 4 men including French champion and top favourite John Gadret. Obviously the roles have changed now with Veloso being placed that well.
Due to this acceleration a split appears with 36km to go. Biggest names back are yesterdays winner Seeldraeyers, Le Gac, Morizot, Bazayev and Orozco.
No team really wants to work for a longer time, so it`s Oz again doing the pace but still not reducing the gap that much. Also strange to see Thuaux doing the main work as last of 3 climbers without time loss. Obviously also here the roles have changed and Ford is the new leader with a hard mountain stage yet to come.
Focus leads the gapped group back and so well placed riders like Seeldraeyers and Le Gac have another chance to keep their good overall.
First attack by Kelderman in the break. It`s sure that one of them will win today.
Pantano Gomez and Kairelis counter this move and gap the other two and it`s not far to the finish now.
Pirelli doing everything to defend Kinney`s leader jersey.
Now Kairelis gapped the other 3 and leads solo. None of them was able to follow him on a short steeper section.
Another breakaway win. Another Emu Export win. Kairelis had success with his well timed attack and wins solo.
20s later Elissonde, who was calm during all these attacks finished 2nd.
Another 30s later Pantano Gomez wins the sprint for the 3rd against Kelderman, who obviously is not influenced by his crash earlier in this race.
Again Jayco with Gadret trying to reduce the gap doing a high pace now. Pirelli behind them obviously did enough to defend the lead.
3'56 later Moreno leads half the RedBull squad and the rest of the team over the line. Again no time gaps on a hilly rated stage between the favourites.
