The 183 kilometre stage from Baza to Cullar Vega was described as a rare opportunity for the sprinters on duty. The expected scenario seemed to unfold very quickly. From the start, a group of seven riders got a free pass from the peloton. The lead of the seven fluctuated between two and three minutes.

Finally, the last breakaway rider was caught up with three kilometres to go and the peloton could prepare for a bunch sprint. The riders of Team Jumbo-Visma showed themselves for a moment, but ultimately did not participate in the front. André Greipel was the first to push his wheel over the line. A short stage awaits tomorrow with two third category climbs.

“It was a quiet day today, exactly as we had thought beforehand”, sports director Sierk Jan de Haan confessed afterwards. “I think the riders did benefit from a stage like today. We weren’t too keen on being in the breakaway. We wanted to give Pascal Eenkhoorn and Timo Roosen the chance to get involved in the sprint. Unfortunately that didn’t work out.”

As for tomorrow’s plans, De Haan is clear. “The final stage is an ultra-short stage. These stages are always dangerous. We see opportunities for the escapees, so we will definitely try to send a man along. However, the most important thing will be to protect Antwan and at least defend his second place in the general classification.”