A real steep one early on. Could this be the stage to really fragment the GC?
Five in the break, they are:
- Boaro
- De Greef
- Fejes
- Haga
- Owsian
Early on the peloton would set a relentless pace, keeping the break well under check. However, the pace would slacken and with 73 KM to go the advantage is 5'00 to the break, the peloton back up to high numbers after being at a low of around 63.
After a long chase Hassan would join up with the break.
With 46 KM to go, and no more KOM points on offer today, we can confirm that Fejes and Owsian are now joint second in the KOM competition.
25 KM to go.
Fejes, Haga and Owsian
@ '52 Masuda, Handley, Blazquez, Baz and Roman
@ 2'00 Peloton.
Five strong riders have attacked out of the peloton and are in hot pursuit of the three survivors from the breakaway. They have pulled out a sizable gap on the peloton.
3 KM to go.
Deep into the last 10 KM, little has changed regarding the time gaps. Handley, who started the stage at 1'25, could challenge for the GC lead.
It looked like the three survivors from the early break would fight out the win when Handley put in a massive surge and goes flying past everyone into the race lead.
The peloton speed up enough to ensure there won't be a change in the GC, however, they won't be fighting for the win today.
Well ... That's a doozy!
Handley takes one of first and, almost certainly, one of the last wins for this outfit. Blazquez, Masuda, Baz and Roman round out the top 5, that late stage attack paying off for all involved.
Richeze wins the bunch sprint, which is for 9th today, points jersey lead goes to him. No changes in the GC.
* For the second and final time of this tour, thanks to the game, there is no export.
