4 long climbs on todays stage. It`s ending in a possible sprint of a reduced group after a long descent. For Schleck and Madrazo though it`s still a very good chance to attack the Maglia Rosa again and possibly take over the GC.
It`s the penultimate mountain stage.
It also is a great chance for the breakaway. As seen previously Festina won`t be able to chase a lot in the mountains and no team is supporting them really. So 11 riders try it today and some of them are top20 in the GC. Rabottini Pomoshnikov Faiers (17th, +23'53) Laengen Deignan Kononenko Majka Cuasquer Yates Grivko König
Spoiler
Cat.1
Faiers
16
Laengen
12
Majka
10
Rabottini
8
Deignan
6
Kononenko
4
Pomoshnikov
2
Cat.3
Rabottini
6
Faiers
4
Yates
2
Festina is trying to chase as much as possible and so their sprint train is still in the peloton going too slow for the break but quick enough to drop a couple of other sprinters.
Starting the 3rd climb, the gap is at 10min and with 2 very long climbs, other teams would need to help if the break isn`t given a hell of a gap.
No other team is helping though and it`s only Pichon, Koretzky and Campero left for Festina. Though the pace is slow and the pack huge.
12min now.
Cat.1
Faiers
16
Pomoshnikov
12
Rabottini
10
Kononenko
8
Laengen
6
Majka
4
Deignan
2
The break definitely going to take the stage. Some riders have been dropped already: Deignan Cuasquer Yates Grivko König
Campero was the only helper left on the climb but too exhausted to really go fast. Quickstep and Vesuvio are working now. That said, it`s not really working as they just go their own "slow" pace. This way they won`t bring Ricco into problems.
Cat.1
Pomoshnikov
16
Faiers
12
Majka
10
Rabottini
8
Laengen
6
Kononenko
4
Deignan
2
Without Festina working the gap extended another 5min on the final part of the last climb. It`s up to 17min now! And remember that Faiers is basically going inside the top5 provisionally!
At least Koretzky found his way back to the front where he is working with Campero in the descent now.
With a bit more than 2km to go Majka attacked the group and goes solo. Behind him they desperately try to close the gap.
But it`s not working. Nice win for Project 1t4i.
Biggest news though for Faiers, who finished 4th behind Laengen and Rabottini.
He will make a huge step in the GC. Now the long wait for the peloton for him. He also most likely secures the KoM jersey.
Cunego crosses the line first in a 58-men peloton. The clock says +18'08! This means Faiers goes inside the top5 with a time trial and mountain stage to come! Big time move for Pokerstars. Ricco stays in the lead as Schleck and Madrazo probably trust their TT advantage tomorrow.
5 riders did not finish inside the time limit. Most notable the two Meiji sprinters Napolitano and Appollonio.
