A challenging stage awaited the riders today. Before the day's breakaway could be formed, there was a crash in the peloton in which Milan Vader was involved. He had to withdraw and was brought to the hospital, where the Dutchman is getting medical care.

Eventually, seven riders escaped from the peloton, including Sepp Kuss. At seventy kilometres from the end, the leading group fell apart and only two leaders remained. They got a four-minute lead on the peloton where Team Jumbo-Visma and other teams kept control. On the Karabieta, Jonas Vingegaard broke away with six others. In the final metres, the Dane was involved in a crash and crossed the line in eighth place, bike in hand.

According to sports director Marc Reef, Vingegaard seemed to be on the way to a good result. "We were in a good situation in which we took our responsibility. In the final we were able to work together with several teams. Then Jonas got in front because he reacted alertly to an attack. The gap increased quickly and Jonas was ready to launch his final sprint. He felt he was on the way to a good result until the incident with Vlasov. A real shame because otherwise he would have been better placed in the GC."

Reef already looked ahead to tomorrow. "The toughest stage. Jonas has shown that he can compete uphill. Primoz is still among the first ten of the general classification, but he has already fallen behind. Yet nothing is lost. We'll go for it tomorrow."

In addition to Vader, Chris Harper on behalf of Team Jumbo-Visma did not make it to the finish line. The Australian dropped out of the race halfway through the stage.