So far the hilly stages proved to be key for Gesink`s success. He was consistently gapping other stage racers on this terrain and got great support of the pure puncheur teams. Will we see similar today? The stage itself isn`t as hard but the late hill could cause another selection of great puncheurs-good puncheurs-bad puncheurs.
But first some bad news again. a crash of 11 riders. Biggest name once again the unlucky Morton who really can`t have a worse GT here.
Others are Ahmad Zamri Thurau Hivert Kreder Chernetskiy Torres Agudelo Henao Grabovski Furdi Galiev
All back on their bikes again and in the peloton just a bit later.
The early breakaway attempt failed. Even though the original group had a decent gap already. Once Koretzky decided to join them and going to long range attack, the pace behind was highered and the group was caught.
What we see instead, is some kind of the most boring race ever. Movistar. Evonik and eBuddy control the peloton and no new attack happened. Apparently the main breakaway teams realized that the hilly stages are nothing for them as this is where the main GC fights are happening so far.
Still the pace of 44km/h is rather fast as they want to make it as hard as possible.
Next to many sprinters, who make it an easy day by forming a gruppetto also Alarcon is a victim of the high pace finding himself in a dropped group. Next to Morton surely the second big bad luck guy.
The pace is still high and the hill is steep. Lots of 10+ % sections. Next to the puncheurs and stage racers couple of good outside bets for such finish are in the front rows such as Van der Lijke or even Enger.
eBuddy ride up the hill with an incredible speed leading to lots of riders being dropped. Biggest names are: Goos Bongiorno Herklotz Enger
With them also Alarcon now who has passed several riders on the climb.
53 riders remaining in the favourite group, where Van der Lijke was trying to keep a normal pace when leading the group himself.
Though the stronger puncheurs have other ideas and attack. This time a mix with couple GC riders though: Van Garderen
Guldhammer Lecuisinier Lutsenko Koretzky
Evonik with Koch try to chase them immediately as Skujins was waiting. Also Sagan and Nibali either try to chase or join them.
Van Garderen having a fair gap on top and takes the Cat.2 points. Behind him a group with the other attackers. Guldhammer-Lecuisinier-Lutsenko-Koretzky the order.
Sagan and Skujins both able to join them before the descent while Nibali is a few seconds behind.
Gesink so far without a move but Brambilla has taken the lead.
He though is clearly less exhausted as he accelerates just over the top to get a gap before the descent really starts.
Machado and Pluchkin both try to chase him in the peloton.
3km left and Van Garderen still having a 28s gap.
The remaining puncheurs and GC riders Lecuisinier and Guldhammer next.
Nibali`s gap became bigger to 45s despite his decent skills. Gesink though is slowly closing the gap to him but also the peloton is just 20s behind him.
Flamme Rouge and Van Garderen could make it a second stage win in this Vuelta. Lutsenko behind chasing hard though.
Too hard for Guldhammer in fact, who got dropped. Also Lecuisinier struggles clearly.
And indeed Van Garderen once more being strongest on the hills gaining more time in the GC fight, where he suddenly starts the 2nd half of the Vuelta with a nice time gap to the climbers.
Same could be said about Lutsenko who wins the sprint for 2nd ahead of Skujins and Sagan.
Koretzky as well in this group with Lecuisinier being a bit later but as best stage racer, which is a good result for him. +48s for him.
+1'23 for Guldhammer!
Gesink then next with +1'37 almost up to Guldhammer and actually ahead of Nibali!
The Italian even is passed on the line by Van der Lijke, who wins the peloton sprint. A pity for Vesuvio that stronger puncheurs were too strong.
2'12 for them. Hence losing yet another 35s to Gesink. And also losing the podium spots to Lutsenko and Van Garderen for now.
Group Goos/Bongiorno is coming in about 2min later while Alarcon another 1'45.
