More mountains, and hopefully this stage will be a little more interesting than the previous stage. Looking at the difficulty of the stage, it's probably just as difficult as the previous stage. There are two mountains, but as with the previous stage, there's a long flat part between them. However, this time we are finishing on the climb instead of going downhill after the last difficult mountain. That's always a good thing
On the first mountain, a group of riders attacked, and unlike the previous stage, it seemed like these guys were actually interested in working with each other. Following riders were in the break: Halgand, Bernucci, Redondo and Docker. Behind them were Nardello and Krasnoperov. Shortly after the top of the mountain, they got contact with the 4 other riders.
The break didn't cooperate very well to begin with. 2 or 3 times, one of the riders attacked. Every single time, the gap was closed, and at last they gave up and started working together. This also gave them a very comfortable lead which they would definitely need if they actually had any ambition of winning the stage. With 100 km to go, the gap is 10'47!
50 km later, the gap has only decreased with a little less than 4 minutes, but the peloton is working now, and the gap is decreasing.
At the bottom of the climb, Docker and Krasnoperov are dropped. They simply didn't have the legs today. In front of the group, Nardello has managed to drop the others and is now going solo. There's 21 km to go, though -- all uphill -- so it's a tough challenge.
In the peloton, it's (as always) Gazetta leading, and with 15 km to go, Krasnoperov and Docker are caught. There's still 2'44 to Halgand, Bernucci and Redondo and 2'52 to Nardello.
.. and then, it's also about time to attack! At first, it's 9th place Sella who attacks, but shortly after it's the 4th placed Piepoli who's trying to get himself on the podium. He flies past Sella, and it's definitely looking good for him. Both riders pass the Redondo-group and Nardello.
And of course, there's no fun without Cunego. He also attacks, and basically every single GC-favourite attacks at this point. 8 km to go now.
In the end, only Cunego and Piepoli get away (in two seperate groups). Schleck, who has still not attacked, decides to use his energy on an attack later on with 5 km to go. He goes past Piepoli, and it's definitely looking good for him now - both considering his fight for the MT-jersey and the overall classement.
But this one is for Cunego. He takes yet another win. But who cares? This is a fight for a spot on the podium - not the overall win. As the sprint starts, several gaps are created, and both Piepoli and Schleck are passed by other riders. But, as said, lots of gaps, and it's certainly difficult to see who gets what after today.
