This is the 1st classified "mountain" stage of the tour and it could certainly be harder. The outright favourite is none other than Mr. Cunego but he will face stiff opposition from Rujano, Piepoli, Schleck, Ricco, Sella, Pellizotti, Gomez Marchante, Mancebo, Klöden and Serpa to name a few. This field certainly doesn't lack mountain talent and it should make for an exciting finale.
3 riders go clear with 25kms gone of the stage, this group contains Flecha, Curfs and Possoni. They have no chance of making it to the finish due to them not being good enought up the slopes, this fact won't stop them trying however.
They are still kept close to the bunch though by Italia and the occasional help from FloGas, in an attempt to keep their man Klöden in his leader's jersey.
After 77kms some of the favourites start to get itchy feet, and attack!!!!!
Surely they have gone too early and blown all their chances, but they seem confident enough, and when you ride with confidence, anything is possible. This group contains names such as Rujano, Serpa, Sella, Vila, Moreau, Sastre and Mancebo!!!!!!
An immense group, but have they gone too early??
The early breakaway have now been caught by the chasers, and in doing so they have managed to drop Moreau and the Ferrari rider.
The early breakaway members didn't hold on for long though as they got dropped as well
We have reached the final climb and cue the favourite's attacks. The first to set off are Karpets, Pellizotti and Zabriskie. Zabriskie stops immediatley but the other two keep going.
THE YELLOW JERSEY ATTACKS!!!!!!!!! With Cunego on his wheel!!!
Klöden is obviously feeling good today, but i'm sure he was hoping that Cunego wouldn't be on his wheel. At the exact same time as this happened, Pellizotti dropped Karpets and started going solo after the lead group.
Pellizotti is just about to bridge up to the lead-group now containing Vila, Serpa, Sella, Rujano and Mancebo. A very strong group but now the favourites are getting into gear, it will be a very tight finale.
As we take a look at the back of the field we see Cycling24 riders yet again getting dropped...oh no wait i'm being told Piepoli is attacking!!!!!!!!
Such a turn around from Cycling24, utter garbage for the start of the year and now they have 2 men up there and 1 with a very real chance of a stage win. Also attacking are Intxausti, Gomez Marchante and Schleck amongst other stupid attacks.
Here we take a look at the "Favourite Group #1" (there are 2 along the course), within reaching distance of the lead-group, will they bridge the gap in time???
