The 189-kilometre stage from Calahorra to Burgos was supposed to be a classic transfer stage, before tomorrow there were climbs with gradients of up to 20 percent to be conquered again in the finale. But as is so often the case, things turned out differently.
The stage was initially dominated by Adam Hansen (Lotto Belisol) and Javier Aramendia (Caja Rural), both of whom broke away from the field three kilometers after the start. With about 40 kilometers to go, both had a lead of almost two minutes. At this time, strong crosswinds hit the field, which caused the Saxo-Tinkoff team in particular to put on a similar show in the Burgos wine region as they did in Saint-Amand-Montrond during the Tour de France. Nicolas Roche was able to outpace teammates Thibaut Pinaut (FDJ) and Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2R La Mondiale) with the increased pace - both lost almost 1:30 minutes in the wind and are now behind the Irishman -, overall leader Vinzenzo Nibali (Astana) and Chris Horner (RadioShack Leopard) remained in the top flight. A few kilometers before the finish, they also provided the two leaders up to that point.
Now the teams of the fast rouleures were also at the top of the group. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) and Maximiliano Richeze (Lampre Merida) in particular had hopes of victory. However, nobody expected the late attack by Dutchman Bauke Mollema (Belkin). With 700 meters to go, he benefited from the perfect work of his teammate David Tanner. As a soloist, he finally crossed the line, just ahead of the two aforementioned rouleurs.
//Result
1. Bauke Mollema (Belkin) 4:44:28
2. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) 0:00:00
3. Maximiliano Ariel Richeze (Lampre-Merida) 0:00:00
4. Tyler Farrar (Garmin Sharp) 0:00:00
5. Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) 0:00:00
//In total
1. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) 68:50:29
2. Christopher Horner (RadioShack Leopard) 0:00:28
3. Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Movistar) 0:01:14
4. Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Katusha) 0:02:29
5. Nicolas Roche (Saxo-Tinkoff) 0:03:43