Next stop is another hilly day, again with a very mountainous look! The three second category climbs late in the race should make sure of some selection - although the succeeding downhill and flat finish will, just like yesterday be an obstacle for those wanting to test the legs.
It's again really a stage for anyone, but a few names have already shown their faces at the front enough to be considered some sort of favourites. One of them is Kononenko, who went from third to second yesterday. Will that trend continue?
Martinez, Alizadeh and the so far very passive Rohregger are other names frequently present in the pre-race discussions.
The early breakaway boycott continues today, and the peloton stays together in the easy first part of the day.
The usual battle between the sprinters occurs at the first intermediate sprint - this time with Baumann getting the better of Matzka and stage one's dominant, Polivoda.
We then return to a slow pace, with MTN deciding the speed from the head of the peloton. At the top of the day's first climb, they claim all the points.
Nel and Lemus Davila thus further strengthens their positions behind Suryadi in the KoM classification.
The next intermediate sprint is taken by Belletti, followed by Ghafari and Polivoda.
Still no attacks as we reach the first serious climb of the day. MTN continues to sit on the front, and Nel takes maximum points at the top - clawing his way closer and closer to Suryadi.
After another slow climb, Feng can't hold back anymore and goes on the attack near the top. MTN immediately lifts the speed to another level.
Masuda and Anuar Aziz follows Feng's example a couple of seconds later, causing even more distress for MTN. Air Kenya and Magna both decide to lend a hand, by sending up Camano and Naibo.
Anuar Aziz and Masuda are soon brought back, after failing to catch up with Feng - who has really bursted clear and leads the field by a full minute!
MTN continues to do all the work as we hit the final climb. They can't seem to match Feng's speed however, as his advantage is up to 1'10 around halfway to the top.
It starts to go down a little again when Masuda sets off for the second time today. Just like last time, he has Anuar Aziz for company.
Once again, they can't seem to break free. Instead, it gives Ndbri an opening - and the Kenyan doesn't hesitate to attack!
Nothing to worry about for Feng, as he crests the summit a good 45 seconds ahead of the favourite group.
Ndbri sits up near the top, and Schrangl goes on the counterattack. Ndbri is immediately up on the pedals again, together with:
Masuda Rodas Mestre Martinez Anuar Aziz Rohregger Parra Bustamante Suryadi
When Schrangl and Ndbri turn around looking for the help on the way down, the rest of the riders in the group does the same - and in no time they're back in the peloton again.
This slowdown allows Feng to extend his advantage to 1'40!
The unexpected rain then creates an unpleasant surprise for Boeing. Parra Bustamante misjudges a turn and takes a major tumble!
The descent ends six kilometers from the line, and MTN immediately hit the front again to shut down Feng, who still leads by 1'25.
The Armavia man pulls himself inside out to find new energy sources, and still holds a 45 second buffer with 2,5 km left to go!
The distance shrinks rapidly, and the sprint is opened in the peloton very early, as Lutsenko once again sacrifices his chances to win the stage to eliminate the risk of losing the jersey to the man up front.
Air Kenya meanwhile tries to set up a little train for the best sprinter in the group: Ghafari.
The pressure becomes too much for Feng, and he really fades in the final two kms. Martinez makes the catch just before the kilometer kite, with Ghafari just about to make his move!
The Iranian easily makes expected jump into the lead while entering the final kilometer. Masuda and Alizadeh tries to follow in the slipstream, while Kononenko starts to speed up on the other side of the road!
Ghafari starts to look sure of victory inside the final k, but out of nowhere comes Jiriakov with even higher speed!
Can he make the jump past with just 200m left to the line?
Yes!
It's a clear win for Jiriakov, as Ghafari has nothing left in the tank to change gears with. He still holds on to second place and takes more valuable points for his green jersey campaign!
Kononenko nabs 3rd place and his third podium in the same amount of days. That means 8 bonus seconds, moving him to just 20 seconds short of Lutsenko, with Jiriakov a new third at 28 seconds.
A disappointed Rodas just misses out on the bonifications, but at least shows good form ahead of the upcoming mountains. 39 riders in total finishes in the first group, including all favourites except Parra Bustamante.
He finishes alongside team mate Valentin Stoenchev almost four minutes down. A dark day for Boeing, who are lucky to have Colorado still in good position for the GC. We'll probably see this man on the attack later in the race.
