Piepoli, then Menchov. Evans again loses some time but stays calm, moving into 3rd place on GC. Horner is still with him. What a double act, 2nd Grand Tour in a row. It was tough mountain stage and the climbers were out in force, moving up the GC. Menchov is not a pure climber but a strong all-rounder with something to prove. He moves into the leader's jersey, but can he hold onto it?
Sadly both McGee and Pereiro are out.
CN reports: Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) earned a well-deserved victory atop the ski station in Cerler with relentless attacks that shattered the group of favourites, leaving only Rabobank's Denis Menchov able to stay in contact. Menchov did not put up a fight for the finish, and was instead content to relinquish the stage to the Italian with the knowledge he would don the jersey oro. Previous leader Stijn Devolder (Discovery Channel) did not have a good day and lost contact at the lower slopes of the climb, losing nearly five minutes and his leader's jersey.
