The final stage into Dinan will surely be focussed on the five finishing circuits featuring a cobbled climb. It is here where we have seen the most decisive action of the race thus far. Yesterday saw some good tactics overwhelm the Gazelle team, with their leader Furdi dropping from 1st to 3rd.
We also have a tight battle for the points jersey with three sprint primers to battle for, it will be one that Kappa’s stage 1 winner Lasca will have to work hard to defend.
Will any rider take the gamble and go on a break, it has yielded fruit in the last two days - even if both riders are now perhaps exhausted!
Risa Ergon have the jersey today, but are not the best over cobbles so will be hoping to neutralise any attacks today.
With no breaks it means the 6-4-2 points are on offer at the first sprint prime. The three names to look out for are Lasca, Cardoso and Moren who are within four points of each other in the green jersey standings.
Cardoso and Lasca do battle, no sign of Moren but Jorgenson is leading the battle for third.
The cars make it difficult for Lasca as Cardoso takes the prime to close it down to a matter of just one point between them. Jorgenson takes third but the former numerous time provisional leader is now way back.
We are still gruppo compacto with 50km to go.
It's been an easy day so far for Risa, but there is lots concerns on the faces of the riders about these finishing circuits. Before we get there there is another sprint prime. Lasca and Cardoso will be looking for a good position.
Sure enough 3kms out both are sitting just behind the yellow jersey leaders, with Nelson, Jorgenson and Friedman also around.
However just before the sprinting starts we get some attacks.
Lilholt attacks with Hacecky. Lilholt is pretty useful over the cobblestones.
Nelson takes the sprint for third behind these two ahead of Friedman, Lasca and Nardin.
Cardoso, Barbari, Jorgenson and Talabardon also go for this one. There is one more sprint prime, just before we get down to our finishing circuits.
Our two breakaways begin to build a little lead before we get to the key battleground. Hacecky could move up into a decent GC place, but Lilholt is a long way down.
The duo roll through the final sprint hotspot and again before the sprinters can have their day Rovira (13th at 3.07) attacks.
However he is chased down by race leader Olsson and Talabardon sprints past to nab the 2 points ahead of Rovira, Lasca and Cardoso.
Hacecky and Lilholt are on the cobbled section for the first of five climbs, they have a four minute lead with 25km left.
The first and third climbs give cat 1 KoM points, neither are a threat to Barbari who looks a lock for that competition if he can keep Tanguy at bay.
Siskevicius (7th at 2.02) attacks on the run up the the KoM point.
The young Lithuanian has really come to the fore in the last couple of days, though he is no fan of cobbles he seems to like the climbs.
No move from Tanguy or Barbari, meaning Barbari has virtually secured the KoM with the two breakaways well clear.
Siskevicius is chased back by Moren and the Risa domestiques Dyrnes, however no sooner that he is caught Rovira goes again.
He gets caught again but Rovira only goes again at the foot of the second climb. This time he drags a few other climbers with him.
Moren (12th at 3.04), Siskevicius, Carrara (8th at 2.10) and most dangerous of all Conte (2nd at 12 seconds).
Sentjens drags team leader Furdi (3rd at 29 seconds) up to Conte's wheel. Whilst pulled together things are looking stretched.
Carrara, a tough man on all terrains knows this is a flashpoint and attacks again.
The tireless Rovira and Vattenfall battling flat man Moren go with Carrara. Ignore the sign we are still over 15kms to go.
It's still softening up time though as Dyrnes leads the catch.
Our two leaders still have five minutes and look odds on for one to take the stage. They've just crest the third of five climbs.
Hacecky looking a little weary but could be set for a good GC jump. Lilholt big favourite of the two for the stage with his ability on cobbles.
Carrara pushes on again with Moren, Rovira and Conte going with him. The question is have we reached breaking point?
The fourth climb is breaking point for Hacecky as Lilholt leaves him for dead.
Vattenfall are really on the attack as Moren now attacks of the top of the third climb.
The GC leaders are right at the front here behind Rovira. Olsson, Conte, Furdi, Gingsjo, Mori and Florencio are right where you’d expect them to be.
Penultimate climb and Conte goes with the Duracell bunny otherwise known as Rovira.
Siskevicius goes with this and over the top, this seems to rejuvenate Conte to try again he may have the buddies to help in his race quest.
However Gazelle's domestiques are comfortably shutting this down. This time Vangenechten does so with race leader Olsson continuing to look comfortable.
Lilholt takes the stage win
Useful perhaps to Olsson as he takes the 20 second time bonus, Hacecky will take second and a place deep in the GC top twenty a good job by him.
Into the last 4 Kms for the pack, the Vattenfall and FC Barcelona tactics look revealed as new riders attack in Gingsjo and Florencio.
Furdi now looks to react.
The former leader has waited and waited for the right moment and as usual is looking for that devastating finish.
He storms past Gingsjo and Florencio, determined to take the race by the scruff of the neck.
Cardoso and Lasca realise they now have a chance in the sprint and Cardoso is ahead of Lasca looking to overturn that one point green jersey deficit.
As Furdi reaches the cobbles, Florencio is leading the pack over Gavazzi, Cardoso, Olsson, Gingsjo, Mori, Chikheli, Fonte and Lasca.
Over the cobbles they go.
Furdi goes to the line, but it looks like Florencio is close enough to him so that no time gaps will be given. To be fair Fonte and Olsson are right there. Cardoso takes 10th a couple of places ahead of Lasca giving them equal points in the points jersey contest.
Back stage after a brief discussion it is confirmed.
Olsson takes the race win.
Cardoso wins the points jersey with Lasca.
Furdi has to be happy with the young riders jersey, he'll know he perhaps could have won this race if tactically he'd have played it better.
Barbari won the Kom whilst Risa took the team award.
