The day started with a setback for Team Jumbo-Visma. George Bennett had to abandon the race due to illness.

Right from the start, the riders had to climb. After several attempts, Tolhoek and Bouwman managed to slip into the breakaway of the day. The strong leading group of twelve riders got a maximum lead of two minutes from the peloton, which maintained a strong pace under the leadership of INEOS. At the foot of the final climb to Port Ainé, the escapees were caught by the group with all the favourites.

Halfway up the climb, Kruijswijk decided to go for it. The Dutchman, however, did not manage to get away as he was caught again not much later. Sepp Kuss looked strong and maintained himself without apparent difficulty between the men at the front. He finished in fifth place in the day’s result, which means he is now back in ninth place in the general classification.

Early escapee Tolhoek was disappointed that the breakaway didn’t get more space. “I had the plan to be in the breakaway today. Koen was also in it, so that was great. He gave his all for me to have as much lead as possible at the foot of the final climb. Unfortunately we didn’t get it for free from the teams in the peloton. I think we tried well. In this way I also won a stage in the Tour de Suisse. It felt a little bit like that on the road. These are opportunities you don’t get very often. Koen and I had a good morale. Bummer, but tomorrow there might be another chance.”