A leading group of three riders was caught just before the finish in Kristiansand, after which a natural selection took place on the climb in the three local laps. Floris De Tier tried to join one of the many break attempts, but did not get away.

Sports director Frans Maassen had seen a combative team. “Bert-Jan Lindeman was very active in the opening phase of this stage. We then shifted our focus to the local laps. There was a natural selection on the climb and at the finish; a maximum of fifty riders had remained in the front. In a stage like this, we lack a rider with a good sprint. This would have been an ideal stage for Danny if only he had been fit.”