Pérez active as Ardiden looms

Euskaltel got through today's final flat stage before the Pyrenees without any sort of hiccups. Rubén Pérez once again showed the form is there by getting into the break of the day. The break was never given much of a gap and were reeled in within three kilometres of the line, but it was still worthwhile I reckon. Everyone bar Gorka Izagirre cruised home with the pack. The Ormaiztegi native ended up 5:43 down. The first proper test of the GC riders is coming up tomorrow with the demanding stage to the top of the Luz d'Ardiden. As always it'll be quite emotional given Laiseka's groundbreaking win there at the 2001 edition of the race. Though the stage might not be perfectly suited to Samu I reckon he's still in with a chance, and with the marea naranja likely to be out in full force it'll be quite the spectacle. Don't miss it.