Those who decided to skip trying to join the breakaway on yesterday's stage to save the legs for today will probably be disappointed, as today's long climbs have been given the same categories we saw on multiple occasions yesterday.
At least Chernetskiy will be happy, knowing that his polkadot jersey is most likely safe for another day. Gavazzi might also be smiling, considering the tough climb near the finish that's likely to increase his chances for a 3rd win.
Unlike the two previous stages, today's race opens very slowly with SRAM, UPC, AMEX and airBaltic pacing the peloton out from the start. Potential escapees have clearly changed their approach.
It takes more than 25 km, but the ice is eventually broken by Lund.
Alone, he finds a suitable rhythm and paces himself towards the first of four KoMs. On the steep slopes of the climb, other activity spurs to life in the peloton as Schelling and Hansen are looking to add new points to their tallies.
Surprisingly no sign of Chernetskiy or Atkins.
Hansen is shed by Schelling on the climb's 10% slopes, but it is Lund who takes the points comfortably ahead of the pursuers.
Schelling does in fact maintain his effort also after the climb and soon catches up with Lund to form a leading duo. Hansen on the other hand figures it's more clever to slow down and wait for the main field.
The two leaders work together quite well for the rest of the day, with the exception of near the summit of the other categorized climbs. Apparently feeling threatened by an uninterested Lund, Schelling sprints clear to take the next two KoMs, with Hansen mopping up 3rd on both occasions.
Unlike the escapees, the peloton enjoys a relatively calm day. UPC set the pace most of the time, easily controlling the gap between themselves and the leaders.
It has been reduced down to almost nothing down at the foot of the day's final climb, after a long, rolling descent. The final points are within reach however, so Schelling is working hard to stay clear over the peak.
With a significant effort, he does indeed find a good rhythm and dumps Lund just before cresting the top all by himself.
Having successfully accomplished his mission, he then happily slows down and gets swallowed up by the field along with his companion.
After sitting back and saving the legs all day, SRAM now move to the front with just 4 km left to the finish. Possibly due to a small attack from Bono, but more likely to set up the sprint finish.
Once again missing are both potential threats from Rothaus; Geschke and Cucinotta, plus Kip, who got shelled out the back on the climb.
Vasyliv
Eichler
Haussler
Reinhardt
Bazayev
Gavazzi
Selig
Rowe
Chernetskiy
Roche
Rovny
Giaux
Gerdemann
Kupfernagel
Feillu
Possibly having learnt a lesson from the earlier finishes, Eichler waits longer with the launch today and only opens when he sees Rowe rocketing up on his left.
The yellow jersey has in the meantime found his way onto Haussler's wheel in an almost uncannily easy way. Behind him are Bazayev and his team mate Priamo.
Clearly reluctant of making the same mistake as earlier, Haussler stays behind his leadout as long as possible, but finally hits the gas when Bazayev jumps for the line with 700m to go.
Gavazzi is a little slower in the reaction, but eventually pounces on the other side of the road.
The Italian seems to be missing something however, as he is struggling to hit top speed. Instead, it appears we're going to see a close fight between Haussler and Bazayev.
A photofinish shows that three days of hard work from SRAM has finally payed off, as Haussler nips the victory by a small margin!
Despite the obvious bad day, Gavazzi comes home for 3rd ahead of team mate Priamo. UPC's success so far clearly hasn't just been luck.
Rothaus' day is somewhat saved by Velits, who takes a surprising 5th. Feillu on the other hand continues his struggle with a 6th place, while Vandousselaere makes it two Bpost riders in the top 10.
Garbelli, Tiainen and Rovny are all once again top 10 as well.
Disappointing results include Giaux in 15th, Kupfernagel in 20th and Geschke in 26th, although it's possible that the first two suffered on the climb.
In the GC, Haussler moves up to 2nd behind Gavazzi, who retains the jersey by just 6 seconds. Bazayev also enters the top 10 as new 9th.
