The demanding course of the race from Andorra to Peyragudes (224,9 km) excited Lampre-Merida’s captain, who realized an amazing performance on the final climb.

Michele Scarponi hasn't had the legs to follow the favourites so far, but today he joined the breakaway in an attempt to catch a big result. But the Italian was dropped and started a chase to catch Geniez at the front. He felt that he had the legs, but he was dropped early and lost to many minutes. 

He overtook the former members of the breakaway. Scarponi couldn’t catch Alexandre Geniez, who defended his advantage and reaching the arrival with 3’03″ to the Italian climber, who preceeded Roche and Nibali.

Today’s performance gave Scarponi the 13th place in the overall classification, at 12’03″ to the leader Nibali.

“I’m trying to exploit the good form I’ve reached in Spain and today I was close to a big result,” Scarponi explained, ”My legs were very good. Anyway, I’m running with grind and I really hope my energy profusion could be rewarded with a good result”.

“This Frenchman [Alexandre Geniez] has done a real good performance! He’s been away for 190 kilometres or something. I thought his action was absurd. But he had great legs. Compliments to him! I’ve always believed I could win the stage. But there was too much wind to come across.”