The 133 km long lap with start and finish in Arvier was very challenging for the LEOPARD TREK riders. Adriano: "Today was in theory the 'easiest' day of the race, but it was really hard. 34 degrees, up and down the whole day and a field that nervous from ambition."

The plan for the team was to stay protected and not lose too much energy. The stage started off with high speed and Alex Kirsch was part of the first real breakaway. Just after the halfway point it was the turn of Bob Jungels to try his luck. Jungels: "Adriano had asked me to stay in the bunch the whole day, but I felt good and I wanted to test my legs. Maybe that was a mistake, but it's okay."

Jungels and his six breakaway companions were joined by fifteen other riders, including Jesus Ezquerra, who had stayed in the peloton up to that point. Jungels: "Arman Kamyshev and Michele Scartezzini had already attacked from our group at that point and they would sprint for the win. Jesus was strong and he managed to get fifth place."

With Jungels and Kirsch out of the top-5, Ezquerra moves into third place overall. Baffi: "Jesus has good shape, so we will try to protect him as much as we can. We have three stages with an uphill finish ahead, so it'll be hard. But the mood is good, so we'll do all we can!"