Today's stage was always a question mark. The profile was a long downward slope with two short, sharp peaks in the last 36km where the peloton would hit La Cresta del Gallo twice. It would be a tough climb, but would it be tough enough for the break to stick, or would it all come together and finish in a Sagan/Degenkolb style sprint? Perhaps the deciding factor would come on the double descent of El Gallo. The road book warned riders to expect a “pronounced” descent with “pronounced curves.” Just for fun, the road surface was also expected to be in poor condition.
The peloton allowed a small break to go clear but kept them on a tight leash. With 50km to go, before La Gallina, a crash forced Tejay Van Garderen, Dan Martin, Kris Boeckmans*, and Nacer Bouhanni all to abandon. The first 3 were taken to the hospital, a suspected collarbone fracture for the American.
The break eventually fell apart and was reabsorbed by the peloton after big work by Giant and Tinkoff. Attacks flew in the final kilometers, everyone having descended more or less in one piece. Lots of big names formed a select group, including Peter Sagan, a favorite for the stage. His chances were wiped out, though, when a race moto took him out with about 6km to go. He was able to get up and finish the stage.
The reduced peloton flew at full gas towards the finish line.
As the group stormed up the boulevard, it was the young Belgian, disappointingly left off Trek's Tour de France squad and only now making his grand tour debut in his second pro season, who had the fastest legs. Crossing the line, Jasper Stuyven raised his arms in celebration and disbelief.
Kristian Durasek, Miguel Angel Rubio, Luis Leon Sanchez, and Louis Meintjes in 17th-21st place, respectively.
Romain Sicard, Amael Moinard, and Chris Froome.
Rafal Majka, Fabrice Jeandesboz, Omar Fraile, Domenico Pozzovivo, and Adam Hansen.
Haimar Zubeldia.
Jesper Hansen.
Tiago Machado.
Stuyven was shepherded to give the winner's interview.
Niki Terpstra led in a group.
Olivier Le Gac and Sylvain Chavanel.
Timo Roosen.
Nikolas Maes and Jelle Vanendert.
A sore and seething Peter Sagan rode in alone. I've never seen his body so tense with what I assume was a combination of pain and anger.
His shredded shorts and the 2 massive wounds on his leg are evidence of the crash he sustained. Shortly after the stage ended, the team announced they were talking with the race jury about the crash.**
Meanwhile, his work done for the day, Chavanel turned his bike around after finding his team soigneur and headed to the hotel. Every team had a long transfer after yesterday's summit finish and then another hour or two on the bus this morning to get to the start, so having a hotel in rideable distance will be appreciated.
Yukiya Arashiro.
Davide Villella brought in a dozen or so riders.
Samu Sanchez wove his way through the finish line.
By the time Cyril Gautier led in a sizable group just shy of 10 minutes later, it was clear that the peloton was shattered. I've rarely seen them all look so flat and empty. They knocked off over 50km in a frantic first hour of racing and it would seem they never had the chance to settle down. Usually there's some conversation between the riders or at least a look of relief on many faces, but there was nothing today.
Vasil Kiryienka and Larry Warbasse.
Geraint Thomas, Daryl Impey, and Cam Meyer.
Angel Madrazo and Jasper De Buyst.
The peloton clocked out.
Koen De Kort and John Degenkolb on their way to the hotel.
An ecstatic Stuyven took to the podium to celebrate his stage win.
Esteban Chaves retained the overall lead for the sixth day.
Omar Fraile kept the KOM polka dots.
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Super Chaves! Wearing the Colombian flag like a superhero's cape, he collected the white jersey.
Chaves still leads in the points classification as well. There was a group of very excited Colombians in the front and Chaves let them know he appreciated their support.
Angel Madrazo was named the most aggressive rider.
The biggest cheers of the day were predictably reserved for Movistar and local boy Valverde on the podium for the best team.
*According to a team statement, Kris Boeckmans is in a medically induced coma and expected to remain so for a few days. He has a concussion, 3 broken ribs, bleeding in his lung, and severe facial trauma with several fractures.
**Peter Sagan has been fined 300 Swiss francs for his angry behavior immediate after the crash and the moto driver has been expelled from the Vuelta.