The riders set off in Villafranco del Bierzo for the longest stage in the Tour of Spain. Van Aert started the 200-kilometre stage as leader of both the points and KOM classification. After the start it immediately went uphill. Six riders were able to form the early breakaway. The six got little breathing space from the peloton, in which Team Visma | Lease a Bike imposed a high pace. The yellow-black formation had set its sights on the stage win.  

In the finale, the ascent of the 23-kilometre Puerto de Leitariegos awaited. Green jersey wearer Van Aert saw his teammates apply pressure in the peloton. After long pulls by Edoardo Affini, Robert Gesink, Cian Uijtdebroeks and Steven Kruijswijk, the escapees were reeled in. The average gradient of 4.5 per cent did not pose too much of a problem for the sprinters. At the summit, Van Aert took the maximum points for the KOM standings. He has now double the amount of points of Jay Vine and Marc Soler, who share second place.  

A large group was preparing for a sprint in arrival place Villablino. Van Aert came on strong, but his Australian rival had an ultimate acceleration in store in the closing metres. “I feel disappointment, especially because of all the hard work my teammates put in today”, Van Aert said afterwards. “And at the same time I am very proud of the way we started this ride as a team. I didn't expect so many sprinters to survive the final climb. Towards the sprint I had a lot of confidence, but Groves turned out to be slightly stronger today.”  

“It was a stage where no team wanted to take control, but we did”, he added. “It's a pity I couldn't reward my teammates with another win, but we can look back on a great piece of teamwork. We executed the plan down to the last detail. I am immensely proud of that.”