The 16th stage could be one for a breakaway. In especially the KoM interested riders might have an eye on this stage with some points to give on the 2nd half.
Other than that it`s a chance for the stronger puncheurs to distance the pure climbers ln those tough hills.
7 riders form todays breakaway even though Navarro only joined them now after a 15km solo chase. The other six former riders are: Belkov Brenes Froome Morabito Rolland Kirsch
It`s interesting that except for Froome, who counts to the best puncheurs in the whole peloton, only climbers decided to join the break and just Navarro (35) and Rolland (44) have already KoM points on their account.
With a maximum of 37 points to get, none of them can get the jersey though as Vanendert (98) has a nice advantage.
B&O once more controlling the peloton since Pluchkin took the lead. First half is raced and we start the first climbing of the day.
The gap is quite small actually with only 4'45 with 90km to go.
The first Cat.3 goes to Morabito, who was the only rider being interested surprisingly as he has no single point yet.
He also takes the 2nd sprint even though he attacked too early and almost lost it to Kirsch, who pulled the rest of the group over the line.
Cat.3
Morabito
6
Belkov
4
Rolland
2
Sprint
Belkov
6
Rolland
4
Kirsch
2
Cat.2
Morabito
10
Kirsch
8
Navarro
6
Brenes
4
Froome
2
After the long descent the gap is down to 3'15 with still 140 riders in the group. This means only 7 have lost contact and are 3min behind even though the slopes so far weren`t very tough. The steeper hills are still ahead of us with the next three really being difficult.
While Navarro takes the mountain points on the next Cat.3, the situation behind becomes interesting with several GC riders including the yellow jersey did attack already initiated by Sicard. Sicard Pluchkin Taaramäe Phinney Schleck
Henao Montoya Keizer
Amador
Spilak Kohl
Tenorio König Frank Dekker
Some riders were obviously missing the move and so it`s Fothen leading the peloton at the moment with Berard riding for Marquez.
Also Keinath, Kritskiy in the front rows.
Madrazo once more sleeping and now sitting in a bad position.
Also the Bacardi duo Intxausti/ Úran have missed it with Monsalve completing the four main riders, who are still in the peloton.
First five mentioned are 1'30 behind the breakaway and have a 30s gap ahead of the next 5 as Amador, Spilak and Kohl all joined the Henao Montoya/Keizer duo.
Tenorio follows solo 27s later and only 14s ahead of the peloton as all other riders were not able to create a gap.
Belkov takes the Cat.4 ahead of Froome and Brenes. But behind them you can already see the GC riders coming fast while Morabito is losing contact.
Cat.3
Navarro
6
Kirsch
4
Morabito
2
Cat.4
Belkov
5
Froome
3
Brenes
1
Madrazo waking up now attacking the peloton to jump to the 2nd GC rider group where Tenorio also have joined already. Definitely not the best team work between those two this Tour.
Tinkoff, Quickstep, Vueling and Bacardi are the three teams working behind. This is obviously good news for the other teams like Prio Porto, Volkswagen or Becherovka as their leaders take profit from this as well.
Further up the breakaway is caught by the biggest GC riders, who have almost 1min already to the next and they all might make a big step today.
Most unexpected rider next to Madrazo surely is Spilak, who was expected to perform the best on this hillier terrain. But obviously he is not having a good day and still looking the strongest by far in this group going into the lead with almost no help by the Santander duo.
While the struggle of riders like Keizer, Henao Montoya or Kohl had to be expected with Santander working now as well going past the former breakaway riders, other riders have found contact to the end of this 2nd group. Those are: Dekker Kritskiy Intxausti Fothen
with Úran a bit behind.
So still in the peloton are Madrazo Monsalve Keinath König
Pluchkin was going a high pace on that last very steep climb and all others had some problems with this.
But while Taaramae, Schleck and Sicard are just a bit behind, Phinney has a bigger gap already being in between the two GC rider groups.
Also the group behind did split a lot on that climb with a consistent ~10% slope.
Phinney and Madrazo now solo as first chasers, while Spilak has to fight for reducing the gap in the GC fight. Tenorio, Dekker and Amador with him, while the other GC riders are in a mixed group with the breakaway a bit later.
Further behind Marquez also attacked now being ahead of the peloton. He quickly joins his team mate Froome, who is setting a high pace for him now.
Also Monsalve and Keinath did attack as both don`t want to just stay with the peloton but both have a bigger gap already and surely lose some time here.
Back to the Spilak group.
It`s up to 15 riders again. So it`s Madrazo and Phinney still trying to chase the first group and Marquez, Monsalve... a bit behind those.
2,3km left and now the tactical moves start. The pace is a bit slower again with Pluchkin being in the first position.
This might actually help Phinney to come back as he is not far behind.
Madrazo though has still a lot to gain.
Last kilometer and Phinney almost makes it. But now the sprint has started with Pluchkin in the middle of Schleck and Sicard. Taaramae a bit behind them in a comfortable position.
Going around the last corner, Schleck had the shortest way on the inside.
Pluchkin is beaten but Taaramae in 2nd position coming fast now.
But Schleck wins. One more Vesuvio win here.
Taaramae for 2nd ahead of Sicard, who had a nice stage here.
Pluchkin as 4th without any bonus seconds and it`s good to know for Wikipedia that Phinney is getting the same time as those first four. So his solo fight was rewarded in the end.
Madrazo though did not gain any time. He comes in as 6th 1'03 behind Schleck. And just behind him Dekker, Kritskiy, Amador and Tenorio on the next places. But actually it`s a group of 16 containing most other GC riders as well.
Losing a bit of time is Marquez (+2'40), Monsalve (+4'02) and König/Keinath... (+5'49)
GC wise this means that Phinney passes Spilak again, while Schleck is coming closer to the podium.
