The penultimate stage of the Spanish race featured the first uphill finish, atop the brutally steep Les Praeres Nava (4km at 13%). Four riders attacked early: Allione (former QOM jersey), Masetti, Valtulini and Vervloet. Van Alphen and Rondel also tried to bridge across, but never made contact. With 40 km to go, Kopecky crashed together with Blasi and Squiban. The French rider suffered the worst consequences and abandoned the race. Several teams worked hard on the wet and nervous approach to the final climb, among them red jersey Lotte Kopecky and former race leader Franziska Koch, both pulling for their teammates. The break was eventually caught with 11km remaining.
By the time the riders reached the foot of the climb, the storm had intensified even further, making the ascent even more brutal. Kerbaol tried to attack early but was quickly reeled in. Anna van der Breggen then launched a long acceleration, dropping riders one by one. Ferrand-Prévot was the first to crack, followed by Niewiadoma. The last two able to follow the SD Worx rider were Blasi and Bunel, but with 2.5 km to go they too had to let go. The Dutch star, however, never gained too much space, with Blasi chasing just a few seconds behind. Anna van der Breggen eventually conquered the stage, taking her second victory since returning from retirement! Paula Blasi confirmed her outstanding climbing abilities by finishing just 8" behind, while Bunel completed the podium at 30". Berthet and Trinca Colonel followed at 36" and 38" respectively. A difficult day instead for Niewiadoma, who lost 1'10", while Ferrand-Prévot conceded more than two minutes. Tomorrow, the final showdown awaits on the Beast of Asturias: the Alto de l’Angliru!