It's time for the first 'normal' stage, with 1 intermediate sprint and a maximum of 20 KOM points up for grabs. With 120km, it's still not a long stage though. Todays favourites would be Corioni, Swift and Ventoso
Gaywood, Last and Ulanowski are the first attackers of the day. They have an easy time getting away because noone else seems to be bothered to get in the break.
They quickly gain time on the pack, where it is Di Nucci making sure the jellow jersey holder Sam Bewley stays up front.
The breakaway riders don't challenge the first KOM sprint of the race, so it's Gaywood who takes it. Back in the pack, there are some riders interested in the remaining 4 and 2 points though. It's Rovny and Astarloa who take them (in that order).
With 60km to go, the riders up front are willing to sprint for the points and boni seconds though. It's Ulanowski who takes it, before Gaywood and Last.
Meanwhile M&M Cycling started to boost up the pace in the pack, in order to keep the advantage of the break under 5 minutes. Albeit chasing with just 1 rider (Melson), he does the job though, and brings the gap one minute down all by himself before 2 other M&M riders takeover the chase toherther with an Energie-Diesel rider.
With 30km left, only 1'47 remains for the break, while in the pack the chase is now on. Lego, Molteni and Santader joined M&M and Energie-Diesel up front, the break doesn't stand a chance.
They do make it to the second and last KOM sprint though, where it is again Gaywood who takes it, making him the first King of the Mountains. Dong so, he splits the break up though. All 3 are alone now.
From the pack, now it's Delage and Rovny taking the remaining 4 and 2 points.
At 11km to go, Gaywood is the last rider to be caugth, let's sprint again!
But what is this? Let's take a look from the Heli; It seems there is a split in the pack! There isn't all that much wind though?
The gap is there though, and it's quickly growing: now it's at 36 seconds. Let's take another look from the Helicopter to see who made the cut.
It seems all big sprinters are there, plus only two riders who could be able to survive tomorrows hills if they take some time today: Ventoso and Bernucci. For the rest, all big names are in the second groupe: Ginanni, Swift, Van Garderen and Roche are just a few names.
The gap even grows to 56 seconds! This could be disastrous for many riders who came here to win the overall!
Up front, the sprint is on though, as if nothing happend. Bernucci took a small lead going into the final 3km, with 3 'trains' chasing him: Perez Arrieta with Ventoso, Galdos with Bongiorno and Baumann with Thorsen.
With Bernucci still in the lead, its Neves going early taking Bewley with him.
They suprized all other sprinters, and bridge up fast to Bernucci. It will be between Neves and Bewley for todays stage.
Looking further back, the ongoing sprint has teared apart the first groupe. May this save the day for all those caugth in groupe 2? Looking up front though again; it's Neves who's stopped sprinting! Is Sam Bewley going for an easy victory again?
Yes! It's Bewley who makes it 2/2. Corioni second, Neves third.
But what is the verdict about the second peloton? It's Biondo who crosses the line first, but will he have sprinted fast enough to have briged up the gap?
We'll have to wait for the judges decision...
