Having missed out, Euskaltel were forced to do the pace-making at the head of the peloton. They managed to claw back a huge deficit and reel the dangerous-looking break back in, only for a new six-man break, including eventual winner Nordhaug of Sky, to go clear and stay clear on the last climb of the day. The peloton was forced to sprint for sixth place, a sprint in which no Euskaltel or Orbea riders got involved - logically. Gorka Izagirre, second here last year, cruised home in 50th place, while younger brother Jon grabbed a decent 19th.
Cabedo, Azanza and Bilbao were back in the fold after spending yesterday training, replacing García, Landa, Antón, Urtasun and Sicard in the line-up.
Stage results:
- 19, J Izagirre, 1:06
- 37, Astarloza, 1:24
- 50, G Izagirre, 2:45
- 78, Verdugo, 8:39
- 96, Bilbao, 13:19
- 106, R Pérez, 15:55
- 121, Azanza, 19:52
Orbea put out the exact same eight-man team as yesterday, but struggled to impose themselves. Bagües was the team's top finisher in 68th, 5:41 down, Merino was 107th at 15:55, while Fraile and Barbero came home 20:13 adrift in 123rd and 125th respectively. Bizkarra and Zuazubiskar ended up 142nd and 143rd, 26:21 in arrears. Aberasturi and Etxebarria failed to complete the race.
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