As expected a rather big group escapes early in the stage to Pla D’Adet and in this group are the two remaining candidates (besides Nibali of course) for the polka dot jersey, Joaquin Rodriguez and Rafal Majka. Halfway through the stage Rodriguez collects enough points to take over the jersey but apparently Majkahad saved some energy for the final climb. The Polish rider from the Tinkoff-Saxo team lets some of his fellow adventurers ride away but on the 10 kilometre final climb he decides to open the throttle and to go for his second stage victory. By using a motorcycle and with a fat wink to his teammate Roche he easily passes the group in the lead , from which Visconti is the last samurai that tries to defend the lead.