Favourites:

Ulissi, Bellis, Dowsett, Di Maggio & Gautier



Konte leads the peloton early on, with the race being a long one there are no attacks right at the start.



After a decent scrap a 6 man breakaway forms here in Kazakhstan, the riders:

Interesting to see that two teams with race favourites, La Vie Claire & Venchi - Ferranti, both make the break.


100 KM to go: Break @ 6'00.

Four teams, Team CSC-Orbea, Team Puma - SAP, Quickstep & RBC Pro Cycling, are keeping the race well under control.



With 55 KM to go, the gap is down to 3'21. Quickstep are now doing the lion share of the chasing.



Soon after Zaini falls. With the help of his team he would be brought back to the peloton, but would he suffer later on?


34 KM to go.

The break's advantage is ever whittled down, now the break are only 2'15 ahead. Dowsett, moves up towards the front of the peloton, and looks like he might be the first favourite to make a move.



Yes, Dowsett is the first favourite to put in an attack. He attacks with 26 KM to go. Barrio increases the tempo behind, he must be working for Cobo today.


13 KM to go.

Dowsett's attack has been nullified as the three survivors of the early break (Murakami, Maillet and Portela) start the final ascent of the largest hill of the day, '35 ahead of the 89 man peloton.



Barrio continues to set the pace. Which of the favourites will be the next to make a move?



Maxime Montfort! The Belgian puts in a big attack and quickly closes on the remaining breakaway riders.

Betancourt, Ulissi, Bellis & Cobo are all looking to counter.



The break is over. Betancourt now leads the race having come over the top of Montfort, Ulissi is right in the wheel though as the major hill has been summited for the final time with 10 KM to go.


The rest of the favourites group some '20 behind at the top.

The likes of Rabon, Dowsett and Mehr-Winige are in there. A bit further back, and out of the screen, is the home favourite Zeits with race favourite Di Maggio even further back.



Ulissi counters Betancourt and looks to distance the Colombian on the descent. Montfort has now been slightly distanced.



A bit further back Kelderman leads the battle for 5th. Hot on his heels is Froome, with Dowsett and the resurgent Zeits still in contention for a great finish. We are now well under 10 KM to go.



On the last small incline of the race, Ulissi powers away. He is looking strong.



Zeits occupies 6th place on the road with 5 KM left. Up ahead he can see Montfort leading the battle for 2nd.



Montfort tries to close down the Italian champ on the run-in with under 3 KM to go.



But, Ulissi powers away to win the Taldykorgan GP. He rode that one really well, countering some of the dangerous favourites before really putting on the pressure on the downhill. The Italian champ takes the win.



After a constant to and fro battle for 10 KM+, it is
Betancourt who wins the battle for second, just ahead of
Montfort today.



Bellis didn't show himself too much today, but finished very strongly for fourth place.

Cobo has a great ride to finish 5th, as does Zeits whose 6th place will bring great joy to his team.

Visconti wasn't too visible, but reserving his energy for the finale, he was able finish well for 7th. Desipte clear gaps, all riders down to Rabon (12th) were given the same time as the stage winner.

Dowsett (13th) perhaps paid for being the first favourite to attack and many's choice for the win, Di Maggio, never came to the fore and finished in 21st.