Greig Leach

Large breakaways tend to generate passengers (those not willing to do their share of time with their nose in the wind), so this group of five took off on the lower slopes of the Monte Olongo. Leading the charge was David de La Cruz (Etixx Quickstep) he was joined by Francesco Bongiorno (Bardiani CSF), Kanstantsin Siutsou (Sky) and Philippe Gilbert (BMC). The twelve kilometer climb was the perfect chance for a good climber to gain an advantage, but the long descent town to the finishing town of Verbania was where the race could be won or lost. The breakaway still had over 10 minutes on the trailing peloton, so these guys knew that the stage was one of their's for the taking. The group must have been a little nervous being surrounded by the support vehicles, although with one driver having caused a wreck I am sure everyone was being extra careful.