One of the quieter mornings we have seen in Tachira. The initial attack by Andersen, Cannister, Akhmaevi, and Knotten being the conclusive one.

There was an effort to bridge across, coming from Main, Otruba, O'Loughlin, and Hollmann, but they were unable to cross the gap. Their efforts did, however, result in Knotten being dislodged from the front group. Evidently his efforts in previous days had drained the legs.

Nobody a challenge to the General Classification, nor strong enough to really threaten for a stage victory even, so the peloton was content to let them go. No doubt the trio in the break would be looking to score points in the contest for polkadots.

A new name in Zingle emerged as one of those controlling the peloton's pace, replacing Tikhonin in our usual triplex. Perhaps a sign that Vingerling wasn't feeling quite up to par?

At the front, it was Akhmaevi who dragged his colleagues up the final few slopes, but in a drag to the line Cannister managed to force his way to the fore. Andersen added insult to injury by relegating the Georgian to third.

Tikhonin's absence was only temporary, so perhaps the adjustment spoke more to Avelino feeling strong than anything regarding Vingerling.

At the base of today's climb it was again Akhmaevi who led into the final kilometre, although this time he was able to keep both his compatriots behind him.

The directeur sportifs appeared more interested in keeping the break in check than protecting their sprinters. They cut a significant chunk off the gap heading up this climb. A dangerous toll given the difficulties many sprinters were subjected to yesterday.

This time Andersen was in the lead with a kilometre remaining, but again Cannister showed his superiority on the (admittedly minor) slopes. His dual victories where enough to push him into the provisional polkadots.

The same order, achieved in the same manner, as the first time through. The gap didn't drop as rapidly on the descent as it had on the ascent, but it was still reducing.

Inevitably, the gap came down to zero. Again it was Crabbe - CC and Glanbia Foods doing the majority of the work.

Andersen launched out on his own which, despite it momentarily looking like Cannister might bridge across, was enough to see him the final man brought back into the fold.

Whilst Campenaerts kept the pace high, the trains began to form. Our two workhorses were also the two forming trains: Crabbe - CC and Glanbia Foods. Best positioned to take advantage of this were Lavoine and Vingerling.

Confusion in the Glanbia train as they managed to lose track of Bennett, instead it was Marin surfing along on their wheels. Equally, Gaspar might have jad Vingerling attached, but he was the only one left in front of the sprinter with an entirely unreasonable distance remaining.

The only train that had really assembled well was that from Crabbe - CC. They had delivered Krieger a brilliant victory in the last flat stage, and looked to be on for a possible repeat performance.

Liepins was in for a berating after the stage; he couldn't follow the wheel in front of him in the train, completely destroying its cohesion. That Vingerling had been dislodged from Gaspar offerred a level of conciliation.

Except Bennett had somehow managed to find his way back to the rear of the Glanbia Foods' train that was rapidly making its way up the right-hand side. Marin evidently was not comfortable with the pace, and had dropped back a handful of lengths.

Green jersey wearer Keough was nowhere near the front, and had made no effort to move into a superior position.

Liepins may have brought his man to the fore, but he also forced Krieger to open his sprint well before the red kite. Unless he could pull off something incredible the German was simply to act as a leadout for Vingerling and Losch, who had slotted in behind.

He certainly wouldn't have been expecting it, but with Oram's rapid drop off slowing Bennett, Ranneries was catipulted into the lead. The Dane had started his sprint early, feeling it the only way to have a chance at victory given his poor starting position.

He would need to keep as much momentum as possible, with Jiang and Lavoine not far behind.

Evidently the Costa Rican had the right of it when he decided that the pace was too high earlier on, as he timed his own sprint to perfection. Ranneries hadn't had the discipline to hold off, and was suffering for his early acceleration by this point. Krieger and Bennett had both rapidly faded after their respective leadouts left them stranded more than a kilometre out.

The only real challenge was Lavoine, but he too was starting to fade. Perhaps if Avelino could've found another gear - but that was looking unlikely. Instead Gross and Tzortzakis looked like they might come through to challenge for the minor placings.

An intelligent victory for an underdog, as Marin secured a stage victory for Volcanica - Fox. Ranneries was followed by Lavoine to complete the podium.

Although some commentators will no doubt lament that the latter duo mistimed their own sprints, the number of lengths by which Marin was victorius suggests that he was not only the superior decisionmaker today, but also flatout the fastest of the fastmen.