First true MTF of the race. And with how things stand it should be a belter. Rujano is just over minute behind and if he wants to threaten Sella's position at the top today is the day. So far Sella appeared to be stronger, but Rujano can take some comfort beating him to 2nd place in the sprint, not much, but a boost nonetheless. Marquez will be trying to sneak away when Sella and Rujano are looking at each other, similar to likes of Nazaret who hasn't done much in the race so far. It's all to play for.
We get large break straight from the start, no one really close in GC though. Efimkin at 7'35" down being the closest to Sella. Villegas with 16 points in KoM is also closest competitor to Barredo on 24, however with 3rd category climb only giving 6 points he also needs to claim some points at the finish to overtake Sancor rider.
Zingle Arredondo Efimkin Clement Kinney Villegas Redondo Rodas Figueiredo Parra Bustamente
Sella well sheltered throughout the day by his teammates, all the main favourites attentive at the front so far. With 36km to go and slowly starting steady ascent gap stands at 3 minutes.
With 24km to go the action is already underway! On the flat-ish stopes Olivier initiates the attack. He's instantly followed by Sella who brings Marquez, Rujano and Pantano Gómez on his wheel.
They get around 20 seconds over the next group on the road including Nazaret, Aru, Txurruka and Beltran. However the peleton is close nearby, the slopes are almost flat in this part.
10km chase by the peleton on the flat part however brings them all back together. 15km left and the break holds 2'45" lead, the favourites will have to step it up or break will contest another stage. They are still intact with 10 members as they begin the final climb.
Not long till next set of attacks! Pantano Gómez is the first one to attack, but yet again instantly followed by Sella, really a terrific ride by him so far. Marquez, Rujano and Olivier are the only ones to respond so far.
Nazaret manages to catch up to the leaders up front and next trying to bridge up is Quintana, Txurruka and Aru.
Quintana and Txurruka were the last riders to bridge up with Aru not quite managing it and is now at front of the peleton.
6km left and leader's group already has 49 seconds over the peleton. They are also catching the 10 rider break fast, reducing their gap to 1'30" now.
Nutresa missed out so far today and is also present at front helping to pace for Beltran who is in danger loosing some spots in GC as well as white jersey to Olivier at the moment as it stands. Other prominent riders in the peleton would be Vinhas Baltazar Topchanyuk Popovych Martinez Rodrigues Murillo De Clercq La Lavandier
The break is at 5km mark and the leader's can already see them! They are going at furious pace led by Sella at the minute. And just as reminder here is the composition of the whole group:
Txurruka yet again really outdoing himself by being present here, the Euskaltel rider really performing here beyond any expectations. Peleton, 51 riders strong is now 50 seconds behind them.
The break could sense the favoruites upon them and two riders decide to attack. With his leader struggling Parra Bustamente will try to salvage the situation today , followed by Redondo.
The peleton has closed down the gap down to 34 seconds, La Lavandier decides to take the advantage of the slow down of the favourites and is attacking trying to bridge now. Behind him are Aru, Vinhas, Topchanyuk, Popovych and Murillo.
Beltran just bit behind but with his face down he doesn't look great, all about trying to limit the looses it seems.
3km left and it's Rujano with the first big move! Only Sella can respond! Nazaret trying but there already is a gap appearing. The Venezulean hero spurred by his fans needs to keep going to crack Sella!
Rujano and Sella catch the main break group and this time it's Sella on the attack trying to surprise Rujano!
Parra Bustamente and Redondo slightly in front.
Pantano Gómez, Nazaret, Marquez and Olivier are the nextriders bridging to the break Quintana and Txurruka have cracked and are left bit behind now.
2km left and Rujano and Sella catch up to Parra and Redondo and take a small breather behind, they can't relax for long though as the chase is hard behind them now.
Pantano Gómez now attacking as the leader's group catches to the main break. Peleton 37 seconds behind, situation looks like this now:
Rujano
-----> (29s)
Pantano Gómez
-----> (9s)
Nazaret
-----> (35s)
Peleton
Sella
Marquez
Bustamente
Olivier
Redondo
Villegas
Arredondo
Efimkin
Zingle
Clement
Kinney
Figueiredo
Rodas
Txurruka got dropped but as Nazaret/Marquez/Olivier/Pantano caught the break there was a bit of slow down and this is allowing the Spanish rider to slowly creep back into contetion, he's 18 seconds behind them.
He's also 10 seconds in front of peleton Quintana finds himself in, he really cracked hard and will do well to limit his losses now. At the front it's Ardila Cano but Beltran is quite further behind, and looking likely to loose couple of minutes today.
At the front Sella goes past Busamante and Redondo with Rujano on their wheel as they see flamme rouge. They are inseparable today so far.
They were playing a bit of cat and mouse game and with 800 metres left Pantano Gómez with great ride almost closing on Rujano and Sella. Olivier is the only big contender behind him in this group which also includes Parra Bustamente, Redondo and Arredondo.
Sella and Rujano see the danger and immediately accelerate away! Behind them there's a mass group of riders all coming in but impossible to pick out anyone now.
500 metres to go and it's neck and neck! Nothing to split them!
Sella and Rujano create visible gap, however great ride from Pantano Gómez and Olivier who are the best of the rest today.
It's really is each rider for himself now!
300 metres to go and they is still nothing to split between them, they are going at exactly the same speed wheel by wheel..
The finishing line is here and they are still inseparable.. who is going to win?
Impossible to call, there is really nothing in it, look at any angle you want but it's impossible to call. But who is the winner?
Spoiler
RUJANO wins! Somehow..not sure how the judges awarded that one but well deserved win. Sella misses the win by slightest margin but will still be happy, with one stage remaining he holds exactly one minute and looks equal to Rujano.
Pantano Gómez finishes 3rd, what an effort after few disappointing days for him. Arredondo on 4th ends being the best rider from the break today, valiant effort Olivier with tremendous ride here, claiming 5th place and also possibly the white, depending how Beltran did at the end. They end up 12 seconds behind the winner.
Marquez and Nazaret lead the next big group 38 seconds behind. Total carnage today!
Beltran really struggled, finishing 59th today 2'55" down on Rujano and ultimately he looses his white jersey to Olivier just by 4 seconds. Tough day for the Colombian.
