This is the deciding stage of the Vuelta a Andalucia. Today we have, after the prologue, the shortest stage of the race. The stage will be decided in a hilltop finish. The ultimate hill isn't as long as the deciding one two days ago. This stage there almost no flat sections, it is always up and down in short intevalls, this not being to the like of riders who like a consistent pace.
The biggest question today is, if Mazet will be able to hold on to his leader jersey. His biggest threat will be Latvian Trautmanis who showed an outstanding performance this race so far.
Here lead by Kohler the break's lead is at 4'04'' with 100 kilometres to go. If they work nicely together, there is certainly a chance of a break win today. Some are very good placed in the overall classement so a surprising overall winner could be possible.
Placings of good placed break members:
21st
Kohler
+42''
29th
Pulido
+49''
38th
Guama
+52''
40th
Bernucci
+53''
43rd
Stevic
+54''
50th
Calderón
+58''
53rd
Budaragin
+1'00''
63rd
Berger
+1'06''
All others are at least two minutes behind and aren't expected to have chances to take over the general classification win in case the break comes through.
Pulido takes the first mountain sprint ahead of Bernucci and Kohler, but although he is third in the classification at the moment he won't be able to challenge Mazet in this classification even if he would take all mountain classifications today, also counting the one in the finish. The lead just crossed the five minutes mark!
The intermediate sprint is hardly contested by all break members. In the end Potocki takes it ahead of Clarke and Berger. For the latter two the bonus seconds mean a big step towards a good overall classification. 75 kilometres to go and the lead is back to 4'39''
At the second mountain sprint Pulido is oversprinted by Bernucci. Kohler again takes third. The lead decreased rapidly and is now under three minutes at 2'39''. 60 kilometres to go!
The increase in pace in the peloton lead to two big groups of in total 43 riders falling out the back. No GC favourite is caught, only some sprinters who relax their legs today anyways. In the upcoming downhill sections these groups will probably get back to the peloton again.
SFR keeps the gap to the break pretty constant at three minutes up to 50 kilometres to go. The previously mentioned groups that lost contact to the main field couldn't regenerate the contact to the field and are now more than four minutes behind.
The second intermediate sprint is again very close with Pulido having the upper hand over Bernucci and Clarke. The peloton now really put the pace up. The lead is at 1'10'' and 7 kilometres to go. SFR is apparently having the same tactics as yesterday. That would be to pull in the break very fast. Yesterday Trautmanis took a benefit out of this.
In the following ten kilometres the break is able to increase the gap by almost a minute. Now it looks like that the break could have a realistic chance today.
With 20 kilometres to go the first favourites attack out of the field. Bitew Shiferaw (Standard Bank; 51st +59'') follows Huang (Fuji; 39th + 53''). The situation is as follows:
E1
E2
Peloton
Rest
break
2 riders
113 riders
1'23''
26''
7'00''+
That attempt is neutralised by Chu (Fuji) although he is on Huang's team. Chu is part of the next attack initiated by Ljungbald (Zoegas). Also following Milan (Eroski; 58th +1'02'') and again Bitew Shiferaw. The break is now less than a minute in front.
During the attacks the break is reeled in without any resistance by them. Here we see Rodrigues (Dexia) with an attack without success.
Pasamontes (iBanesto; 32nd +50'') leads the field with an attack through today's last mountain sprint. Behind that are Rodrigues and Bernucci, the same Bernucci who spent all day in front with the break!
Rodrigues and Pasamontes got like this a little attack just before the downhill. With 10 kilometres to go they are 14 seconds ahead of the rest. Six kilometres downhill and concluding four kilometres uphill will follow!
That gap wouldn't be enough with a strong SFR team chasing behind. Other attacks follow during the downhill, here Capelle (Electrabel) and Milan (Eroski; 58th +1'02'')!
But also that wouldn't be good enough for tricking SFR. Now a peloton of 111 riders hits the last climb alltogether. Who will be the strongest? Here we see Milan attacking after just been pulled back.
Nobody can follow him and so he is 25 seconds in front with 2,5 kilometres to go. SFR is still well represented behind with four helpers of Mazet chasing.
Then the attack of the probably two biggest prerace favourites. Mate (iBanesto; 46th +56'') and Schoffmann (Miche).
Kochetkov bridges to them. The red kite is already in sight, 1600 metres to go. Milan is still in front. 18 seconds behind are the three that just attacked before and further 33 seconds down the peloton.
Behind is another big attack initiated by Wesemann (Standard Bank; 8th + 35''). Riders that fear for their so far good overall position are involved. Trautmanis (Kalev; 2nd +8''), Joly (BNP Paribas; 3rd +8''), Lagab (ArgoAirways; 4th +20'') and Huizenga (Van Merkstijn; 5th +30'') follow. The leader jersey is nowhere to be seen!
With 1200 metres to go Milan launches his sprint first. Kochetkov could come a little closer, he seems strong today. Also the other attackers and the peloton are visible in the background!
Under the one kilometre to go banner the first four are almost even. Kochetkov is having a little bit of an advantage but he chose the long way around the corner.
Behind Wesemann and Trautmanis got a little gap, with the Latvian seeming to have the stronger sprint.
Schoffmann is coming fast, but also Mate on the right hand side is putting in a dig for the win.
Trautmanis already almost reached the rear wheel of Milan in front. Wesemann is falling behind like a rock at the moment, the initiation of the late attack has costed him apparently to much energy.
It is now Mate against Schoffmann. The second goup is already being swallowed by the Peloton with Schafer (LKT; 15th +40'') having the fastest sprint.
Wow! What a close win by Mate, but also gret performance by Schoffmann, hats off! Kochetkov secures third.
Milan just stays fourth. The peloton sprint is very close with many riders blocking others. Positioning was everything in this sprint. Trautmanis stays fifth. We can also now see the red leaders jersey of Julien Mazet!
Also honorable mention to Sid Taberlay who comes last the second day in a row. Today he is crossing the line 40 minutes behind Mate. This time it is more than the time limit and he is taken out of the race like other 23 riders.
Although there was a gap Mazet brought a big enough lead and secures the overall classification win! Mate jumps to fourth overall and Kochetkov also makes the Top ten getting seventh. Other than that there are no changes in the overall top ten!
