The final mountain stage in Táchira takes us from the town of Ureña to the summit of Fila Palo Grande, passing the gorgeous Monumento Cristo Rey along the way. The route actually begins with two revolutions of a circuit between Ureña and San Antonio, with intermediate sprints situated in both towns. From there they head south to the Category 2 climb over Alto Las Dantas and into Rubio, then over the Category 3 Alto de Berlin to the western fringes of San Cristóbal. The final climb is actually seperated into the shallower Category 2 ascent to Rancheries and then the finale up Fila Palo Grande, which boasts gradients of more than 10%.
The breakaway didn't have too much difficulty getting away today. It is the yellow jersey's team, Crabbe-CC Chevigny, which controls the tempo and they were willing to allow a quite significant leash. Gavin Mannion might well be chasing the polkadots here, he is only 6 short of Connor McCutcheon and there are 42 points on offer today. The American was the strongest member of the breakaway yesterday, so a stage win could be on the cards as well; he will be protected by Hannes Wilksch. One of the duo of Nawuti Liphongyu and Jamal Hibatullah might be his biggest challengers in that respect. Sakari Lehtinen is making another appearance, this time supported by Kobe Goossens and Florian Lipowitz. Clement Chevrier, with the aid of Kevin Vauquelin, will also be making a repeat appearance. A new contestant emerges in the form of Adrian Nitu, who is backed by Gordian Banzer and Alessio Martinelli. Making up the numbers are Bryan Fernando Mendoza, Yves Lampaert, Quinten Hermans, Adam Phelan, Taylor Gunman and Pedro Silva.
Having already ridden out to a gap of 5'13" at the base of the climb up Alto Las Dantas, the contention for the polkadots vastly increased the peloton's deficit. In the absence of any threats to the general classification the teams weren't interested in chasing. Jamal Hibatullah was the strongest of the group, with Chevrier and, quite surprisingly, Hermans rounding out the podium. Mannion and Lehtinen also picked up points.
By the time the shorter climb to the vilalge of Berlin arrived, Mannion had warmed up. In a dominating performance he bossed the climb from start to finish. Lehtinen was able to keep up with the American, but he missed out on 2nd to Phelan. The Australian would need a massive overperformance if he was to secure the polkadots.
On the way to Rancherias it was Mannion on the front again. Yesterday gave him confidence he could outclimb all his breakaway companions and in forcing a high pace there was no chance of the favourites making the catch this time out. He was followed through the mountain sprint by Hermans, Lehtinen, Chevrier and Hibatullah. A gap opened up behind them. Nitu was able to bridge across on the flat section but Liphongyu was found lacking. These are the contestants for the stage win as the cameras go live.
Hibatullah is the next to try and make a move, this one for the win. Mannion is attentive at the front of the group and prevents a gap from being established. Instead it is Nitu, already exhausted by his bridging efforts, who is forced off the back.
As Hibatullah slows, Chevrier takes the opportunity to attack over the top of him. Mannion is ready to mark this move as well, Lehtinen and a reluctant Hibatullah follow him. Hermans can't take any more and lets the others go.
Hibatullah was play-acting, he takes Chevrier's counter-attacking tactics and turns them against him. It works! Nobody follows. He tricked Mannion into thinking he was done and the American wasted his reserves.
Things are heating up behind as well. Just like yesterday it is Natnael Berhane who is lighting things up for the favourites. Sindre Skjostad Lunke and William Chiarello are tight to his wheel. Inigo Elosegui is the first to bridge up to the favourites. Fabio Aru and Mikel Iturria make to follow him, but don't have the legs to carry themselves all the way across.
They naysayers will claim William Chiarello was made to look human yesterday but here he is proving that losing time was merely a tactical choice. Elosegui overextended himself and rapidly dropped back into the chasing group. Now it is Berhane and Lunke's turn to suffer. Neither of them can stay with the Brazilian's pace. They are soaked back up by the efforts of Iturria and Luis Enrique Lemus Davila.
Whilst we were distracted with the race for yellow events were unfolding up front as well. Hibatullah has cracked and this time he isn't acting. Within sight of the finish he is being passed by Mannion, Lehtinen and Chevrier. One of those three will take the win.
It is Gavin Mannion who raises himself to the heavens. He must be blessed to have survived this climb. An excellent win for him and a much-needed redemption for his earlier slide down the overall standings. With just a bit more luck this result might have come a day earlier but he won't be worried about that now. He took it upon himself to mark all of his competitors moves and refused to admit defeat, even after he was distanced he just rode a steady tempo and fought his way back to the front.
The story of the breakaway is now being retold by the favourites. With a strong surge one rider - Hibatullah, Chiarello - establishes a gap. After a moment of panic, a competitor - Mannion, Berhane - picks themself back up and begins to close the gap with a strong tempo. The pressure becomes to much and the leader cracks and is caught. Berhane is the first of the favourites through the finish and only an extremely generous award by the adjudicators prevents Chiarello from losing time.
