After the hardships of yesterday, the queen stage of this year's Vuelta awaited the drivers today. The 224,9 kilometer stage from Andorra to Peyragudes was a homage by the organizers to the 100th edition of the Tour de France. The riders awaited a total of four category 1 climbs.
With much more pleasant temperatures, the remaining drivers set off for France in the early afternoon. Already on the first climb, the Puerto del Canto, a group of 28 formed around the Pole Bartosz Huzarski (NetApp-Endura), but the field didn't really let them go. Until the second difficult climb of the day, the lead was almost three minutes. Only when Warren Barguil (Argos-Shimano), Alexandre Geniez (FDJ) and Francis de Greef (Lotto Belisol) took the initiative at Puerto de la Bonaigua did the lead gradually increase.
As a result, only a few drivers managed to catch up with this trio. Together they managed to work out a maximum lead of 8:03 minutes over the field. This only melted after the drivers had crossed the border into France. At the Col du Port de Bales, Geniez pushed the pace. Only the Spaniard Cardoso (Caja Rural) was able to hold his rear wheel.
With 35 kilometers to go, both still held a 5:18 lead when an attack from Nicolas Roche put the favorites in tension. At the summit, the lead had melted to 5:05 minutes. Geniez broke away from his companion on the descent and used his remaining time cushion to the finish in Peyragudes.
Behind Geniez came the Italian Michele Scarponi (Lampre-Merida), who had broken away from the group of favorites on the last climb. Roche finished third behind him. There were no changes in the overall rating.
//Result
1. Alexandre Geniez (FDJ.fr) 6:20:12
2. Michele Scarponi (Lampre-Merida) 0:03:03
3. Nicolas Roche (Saxo-Tinkoff) 0:03:07
4. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) 0:03:20
5. Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Movistar) 0:03:20
//In total
1. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) 60:20:21
2. Christopher Horner (RadioShack Leopard) 0:00:50
3. Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Movistar) 0:01:42
4. Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Katusha) 0:02:57
5. Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R La Mondiale) 0:03:43