The Slovenian Luka Mezgec (Giant-Shimano) also won the third sprint arrival of the Tour of Catalonia. In Valls he won after 220 kilometers in front of Julian Alaphilippe (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) and Samuel Dumoulin (Ag2R-La Mondiale).
The stage had previously been marked by an eight-man lead group. This determined what was happening at the front right up to the finale. Only on the last climb did the field with Marcus Burghardt (BMC) and Georg Preidler (Giant-Shimano) present the last two escapees. After that, the ground was leveled for a sprint. Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) also intervened in this, but he did not receive any time credit for fifth place.
Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) continues to lead the overall standings. Michel Koch (Cannondale) maintained his lead in the sprint classification.
Result
1. Luka Mezgec (Giant Shimano) 5:16:00
2. Julian Alaphilippe (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) 0:00:00
3. Samuel Dumoulin (Ag2R-La Mondiale) 0:00:00
4. Paul Martens (Belkin) 0:00:00
5. Michel Kreder (Wanty Groupe Gobert) 0:00:00
Total
1. Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) 23:03:34
2. Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) 0:00:04
3.Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) 0:00:07
4. Romain Bardet (Ag2R-La Mondiale) 0:00:10
5. Nairo Quintana (Movistar) 0:00:10