Classified as a flat stage but it doesn't look like one. The favourite again is Theo Bos but if he makes it to the finish within the peleton then I will eat my hat. The more realistic candidates are Duque, Corioni, Van Heerden, Chicchi and Ventoso.
Just before the first sprint we have a group of 4 at the front. Cortinovis, Antomarchi, Vandewalle and Bohler are the riders with Criel and Olman trying to bridge the gap and failing miserably.
Bohler won the sprint ahead of Vandewalle and Antomarchi. They made it to the first KOM point and Cortinovis took maximum points ahead of Vandewalle and Antomarchi, as Bohler is dropped.
With 65km left to race the group has a lead of just 2'45. Looking back through the groups, Bos won't contend for the win today as expected, he is dropped.
Vandewalle won the 2nd intermediate sprint of the stage ahead of Antomarchi and Cortinovis and he gets dropped in the sprint. The remaining 2 riders get caught with 43km to the finish.
With 25kms left Clement attacks!!! No worries though as it's only for the KOM points, he takes the maximum and Paolini and Verbrugghe mop up the rest. The final KOM sprint was won by Pellizotti ahead of Jufre and Chavanel. So with 10kms left the bunch will decide it. With most sprinters being dropped along the course of the stage the only riders in with a chance are Duque, Ventoso, Astarloa, and Gasporatto. Van Heerden is about to be dropped, but as they're on a descent he as a chance to get back on, but it's unlikely he will challenge for the win.
With 3kms to go Bak is in front, and remarkably Van Heerden is up there. However on the far side Ventoso has Duque's wheel and Duque seems like he doesn't want to grab anyone else's wheel, so he will go for a long one.
With around 800m to the line Duque's lead-out worked like a charm for Ventoso, not so much for him. Ventoso can surely get the win now...
He does. Only just though, Duque was very strong, just a bit too confident. Bertagnolli finished 5th so he obviously keeps is jersey. The KOM jersey is very tight but Clement will wear the jersey.
