After two flat stages, today's programme featured a difficult hilly ride. With three categorised climbs in the last forty kilometres, the difficulty lay in the final part. Five riders formed the breakaway, but were unable to stay ahead. On Le Maupuy, the last climb of the day, bonus seconds were up for grabs, so the GC women moved to the front.

Ferrand-Prévot was attentive and was part of a seven-rider elite group. Vos was unable to keep up and gave everything she had to minimise the gap with the leaders. "I tried to keep up for as long as possible, but I just couldn't stay with them. In the end, I ended up in the second group and sprinted to eighth place", she said. "The most important thing was that Pauline was at the front and wouldn't lose any time in the general classification. After five days, she's still in a good position. I'm happy about that."

Ferrand-Prévot finished fifth after 165 kilometres. She moved up to second place in the GC. "It was another good day. The girls did a great job controlling the first part of the stage and then dropping me off at the foot of the final climb. It was a climb that doesn't really suit me, but I felt I was in control."

"On the descent after the final climb, I braked a little too hard and my wheel slipped. I missed the corner, but luckily I was able to catch up quickly. In the sprint, I tried to stay on Kimberley's wheel because I knew she had the best sprint. It was quite chaotic and in the end I had to settle for fifth place. I can be very satisfied with that."

Marion Bunel was involved in a crash and went to hospital for further examinations after crossing the finish line.