After two challenging mountain stages, a relatively flat stage was on the programme. It was likely to end in a bunch sprint, but a few riders tried to prevent it. Affini rode attentively from the start and tried to get away with three other riders.

The quartet seemed to have embarked on a mission impossible, as the peloton kept the margin within two minutes. With ten kilometres to go, the gap was still one minute, which made the escapees believe they still had a chance to win the stage. The sprinters' teams did everything to close the gap, but it proved to be too big.

As a result, the four riders battled for the day's victory. Affini launched the sprint, but Dries De Bondt beat him just before the finish line. "It's a pity I couldn't win the stage", Affini said.

"I know I'm not very explosive, so I needed a long sprint to have a chance. I followed my instincts and went full speed at about 250 metres from the finish. Unfortunately, Dries was half a wheel faster, so congratulations to him. As a team, we showed again that we can compete for the win. That's perhaps the most important thing."

According to Affini, the collaboration with his fellow escapees went perfectly. "We decided to take it easy and see how the peloton would react. Before the climb, we increased our speed, hoping to gain some extra time. That plan worked out well. Then we went to the finish to win the stage."

Koen Bouwman came through the eighteenth stage well and his blue jersey wasn't jeopardised. "I went to the finish relatively easy", Bouwman said. "I haven’t won the jersey yet. There are still plenty of points to be earned in the coming days, so I will do everything to be in the breakaway tomorrow. Luckily I have very strong teammates who will try to get me in the breakaway."