Only victory will see Ciolek regain the race lead on this stage, will it happen?


Third time over.

Grashev would make the breakaway once again today. Once again risking a good place in GC in the aim of some more bonus seconds. He would be joined by: Kozhatayev, Chainel, Cataford, Kiflay, Lampaert & Sosnitskiy.



After we have had four sprint finishes it should not come as a shock that the break would be wound up with 10 KM to go. Grashev, provisionally, would be up from 12th - 7th today, but would he hang on to the peloton? ......



Not today. Grashev is well and truly dropped from the peloton, who are ever increasing speed, with 5 KM to go, a bitter blow for his team.



Up front the sprint is on:

A bit further back ...... these riders would not contest the win but would finish with the same time as the stage winner.



With over 150 meters to go we see Napolitano amongst the leaders, launching his sprint, Vantomme is up there after a great lead-out. Will he finally make the podium.

Notably Maksimov is finally in a sprint mix-up.



Napolitano and Cavendish can barely be separated so close to the line. Ciolek, though, is coming up fast.



The race lead switches hands again as Ciolek takes the win and vaults himself back into yellow. Napolitano, who is up to 4th in GC, was the clear second with Cavendish in 3rd. Maksimov comes home, 4th, his best result of the race, but is it too little too late? Hoffman is right up there again, this time in 5th.

Oz Cycling Project may have lost the GC lead, but have 5 in the top 7 in GC.