After an exciting stage yesterday, we're back with another stage for the GC-contenders. We start off with a short, but steep mountain, followed up by a long, but not so steep mountain. Just after the downhill, we're ready for the final mt. of the day. It's definitely a stage for Danielson, Ribeiro, Medina and co., although it doesn't look as difficult as yesterday's stage. However, with some attacks from the GC-contenders, this stage won't be a walk-over
As the riders passed the start line, Martinez de Esteban of Fed-Ex attacked and was followed by Askari (Fed-Ex B), Wijaya (American Suzuki) and Lewis (Slipstream). None of them are any threat to the Mountain Class., so Dyadichkin has nothing to fear The four riders had trouble working together as Martinez de Esteban ripped the group apart. Askari and Wijaya continued riding together, but dropped Lewis. At the top, Esteban had 3'40 to the peloton.
Dyadichkin secured himself 6 points for his jersey, and I have to say that it looks quite settled in that competition.
Anyway, let's fast forward to the beginning of the 2nd mountain of the day. There's 120 km. to go. Lewis is very close to Askari-Wijaya, and Esteban has worked up an gap of 5'05 to the 2-man (almost 3-man) group .. and, hold on, 12'51 to the peloton. He is 'virtual yellow' now since he's 10'54 behind in the overall classement. In the peloton, they are starting to get worried. 5 riders from Benfica and 5 riders from British Airways are leading the P, hoping to cut off some minutes of the break.
As expected, the gap started dropping a little. Esteban continued on expanding compared to the three riders behind him, but to the peloton the gap was down to 10'33 with less than 100 km to go. The increased tempo also meant that some riders had to let go of the bunch, and especially the 'working horses', who would normally be able to hang on thee kind of slopes, seemed tired. 10 km from the top of the mountain, the three escapers were caught, leaving Esteban alone in the front with a gap of 9'04.
As expected, he managed to hold on and also took the 2nd mountain sprint, meaning that he now has 26 points which is still far from being enough for taking the jersey. In the peloton, the remaining riders of British Airways and Benfica continued leading, but the gap was still at 7'56 with 85 km. to go.
The long downhill section before the final mountain wasn't really to Esteban's benefit, though. His gap started decreasing dramatically. At the bottom of the mountain, the peloton could see Esteban ahead, and his gap was down to 1'41 and still decreasing very fast. It looks like the day is over for him.
With 37 km to go, it was over for today's break. Esteban was catched and dropped.
It's time for the GC-contenders to show themselves. Slowly, they are losing their helpers, including Jaksche (British Airways) and Vitor (Benfica). We're down to 27 riders. Few seconds later, it's 18 riders and with Marquez, Ribeiro and Medina in front. No one dares to do anything, though .... until 16 km. from goal. Danielson, who's third in the overall classement, makes the first move of the day! Arriagada of Wiggle tries to go with him, but he can't and is catched again. Medina takes the responsibility of closing the gap, but Danielson still has an advantage when the bunch reaches the top.
Danielson looks to do what Medina did yesterday. He has 37 seconds with 6 km to go. There's 11 rider behind him, trying to bridge the gap. It looks like he will hang on - actually, he's increasing his lead!
Here we are with 1 km to go - it's definitely a victory for Danielson, and it also looks like he will be wearing yellow tomorrow!
Yes, he does take the win, but the peloton is coming in behind him.
Medina takes the 2nd place ahead of Siutsou. Ribeiro is there too.
