As the best climber in the field, Phinney is of course the favorite for today’s stage. Lots of competition ready to challenge and try a variety of tactics, but Eastman is the most likely to take down the favorite. Almeida will try to represent his home country and grab a stage win. Tons of KOM points to absolutely turn that competition on its head.
The first 3rd category climb comes up immediately and the breakaway has to form on the climb itself. 14 riders off the front, but it is Teuns who takes the first points ahead of Pinot. Helme barely beats Van Gestel for the 3rd place points. But those aren’t the most important names of this breakaway. Up front we have:
Evenepoel (GC 3rd 0:41), Teuns, Pinot, Helme, Van Poucke (KOM 3rd 22 pts), Leemerize, Rachid, Fouche, Krasts, Lastra, Shirota, Zegklis, Bagioli, Van Gestel (KOM leader, 25 points), and a struggling Potocki. A very strong set of 15 heading up into the high mountains. Evenepoel obviously the closest in GC with no one else closer than 3:26 – which is Rachid.
Just taking a look at our full breakaway, Van Gestel watching from the back, Evenepoel toward the front. Rachid wearing a beautiful Lebanonese champion’s jersey.
The group rolls through the first sprint point, with Evenepoel falling to the back by choice right at the last moment. Rachid takes the bonus seconds, followed by Fouche and Van Poucke with absolutely no challenge for it. 143km to go and the gap is 3:00
A 4th category climb marks the last real chance for Van Gestel to score KOM points as he should not assume opportunities on the larger climbs. This will be crucial for him. And he positions himself well heading into the climb. Evenepoel looks to lead over Krasts and Van Gestel. Van Gestel appears to officially take the 2nd place points ahead of Krasts. 3 important points for sure with the three major mountains looming ahead.
The final sprint point of the race sits at the bottom of the HC climb. The breakaway continues to roll through as they realize the climbs are a much more crucial part of today’s race. Shirota rolls over in 1st followed by Teuns and Helme. Those points might actually be worth something for Shirota to add to their win total from Stage 6.
Behind, the peloton has been led almost exclusively by Fastned today. No one else willing to chase and a full lineup of domestiques all pacing up front. No surprise that Fastned has asked Bauhaus to pace all of the flat section, knowing they can’t rely on him for the climbs. Now they start the HC climb to Torre, it’s 27km at 5%. The gap is 3:15
A beautiful climb to view from above, but just as the climb starts, Oxxo-Frisby takes over with Marin. Marin won’t last for long we assume, but this could be a sign that Eastman is ready to take the fight to Phinney today. Marin can’t hold on long, but paces until the first descent within the climb. Only Bauhaus has been dropped from the peloton. De Kleijn also drops quickly after. 15km left in the climb and the sprinter grupetto is starting to form, with no surprises in those groups.
14km left in the climb and Van Gestel has called it a day. He realizes there’s nothing more for him and he drops from the breakaway. All others look strong so far as they extend the gap to the peloton to 4:15. Oxxo-Frisby still pushing the pace, although not that hard. 5th place on GC Forssell drops around this point, but he was not expected to contest at all.
Bagioli is the next breakaway rider dropped with 8.0km left in the climb. No attacks of any nature from the rest of the group. Pinot has been leading for a while. The peloton is exactly 100 strong as it welcomes Van Gestel to the mix.
A new team to the front of the peloton – Carlsberg – Danske Bank. Undetered by Forssell’s dropping this is clearly a move to support Galta.
Our first surprising GC drop of the day is Cort Nielsen who drops with overe 5km left to go on this first summit. He started 16th on the day and will surely be giving up any chance at returning to a good position.
Ahead, Zegklis is dropped from the breakaway.
8 riders go over the top of the mountain together, with the other 4 simply allowing the sprint to occur. Evenepoel should take top spot, ahead of Lastra. Van Poucke and Potocki sit neck and neck while Rachid takes 5th ahead of Pinot. Officially Van Poucke takes 3rd and moves into the KOM lead!
80 riders crest the climb together in the peloton. Fastned is placed under pressure and has Cras leading the peloton down the descent. 57km to go – 4:44 to the breakaway and provisional GC leader Evenepoel.
Heading into the 1st category climb, the breakaway has given just a tad bit of time to peloton with still another 33km of climbing left in the stage though. A lot of riders really want this to work though as everyone is willing to contribute. Rachid leads them up the mountain to start. The gap is 4:00 with 39km to go total.
The front of the peloton is now controlled by Merchan for Oxxo-Frisby, enjoying his loanee period from SEE Turtles. More importantly, the peloton is now rotating between Oxxo-Frisby, Carlsberg, and Aker-MOT have decided to contribute as well and the gap is plummeting now to just 3:15 after 5km of climbing.
6km left on this 1st category climb and the pace in the peloton hasn’t faltered. The gap is just 57 seconds to the front, causing Teuns to attack. Everyone seems to follow their except Leemerize who just can’t match the pace. After a km, Leemerize find another gear though and returns, leaving the breakaway 4km until the top. These are a crucial 4km for the KOM competition.
It’s a tough camera angle at the top of the climb, but Rachid appears to die right at the line as Helme goes by. Teuns is clearly 3rd ahead of Potocki and Evenepoel. Shirota 6th and Lastra 7th. Van Poucke still in the lead over Evenepoel 34-31.
64 riders left in the main group, no favorites dropped. 24km to go. 1:15 to the breakaway. Just 7km of descent before another go at the final 17km of the Torre climb. The first 6km are the steepest.
15km to go on the stage and the breakaway is almost caught. Only 45 seconds in between. The biggest name close to dropped is Senni, who started the day in 10th but might’ve been asked to contribute to Warchol’s day. Senni is the last rider left in the 62 man peloton, but isn’t dropped yet. He immediately moves up 15 places.
Leemerize drops back to the peloton at 14km to go.
Still a huge group of 62 but Galta puts in an attack. Almeida is glued to the wheel while Carboni leads the rest of the peloton to ensure they don’t get away. It’s 13km to go still so a long way out. The attack brings back the breakaway for good.
Carboni goes over the top with 11.2km to go and gets a solo break with 22 seconds from the peloton. Almeida tasked with matching it himself, Warchol on his wheel. Phinney also goes with, bringing Eastman and Yates with him and a group of 5 is now between Carboni and the peloton.
10km to go and another set of moves. Yates jumps out to a solo 2nd place while the rest of the GC riders come back together. Officially there’s still 48 riders in that pack, with none of the favorites dropped, although riders like Skjelmose Jensen have had to give up their personal chances for their leaders. 41 seconds between Carboni and the Phinney group. Yates exactly halfway inbetween.
After Phinney refuses to pace, Eastman attacks the peloton! Phinney is right on his wheel and Warchol not allowing them any space either.
Yates has connected with Carboni and they’re 1:20 ahead with 7.5km to go. Only medium gradient and false-flat left after this kicker they’re on now.
Phinney accelerates away from Eastman, Galta, and Warchol who were all trying to catch the two leaders. Phinney looks very well rested and aiming to catch the two leaders who still have 35 seconds with 6.5km to go. The rest of the 44 GC riders are still together, including Evenepoel from the original breakaway.
5.5km to go and Evenepoel finally cracks alongside some other breakaway men and domestiques. 31 men in the main group and falling.
4.0km to go and Phinney finally makes contact at the front with Yates and Carboni. Carboni looks cooked for the final drag up to the line. The three have 52 seconds over what is now 14 riders:
Eastman, Barguil, Godoy, Warchol, Misbah, Rodrigues, Galta, Almeida, Johannessen, Valter, Pidcock, Schmid, Schlegel, and Frankiny.
Senni sits alone ahead of another group with the likes of Kamna, Masnada and Darbellay alongside 16 others.
The group of 14 isn’t giving up which distances Schmid and Schlegel.
1km to go and Phinney leads Yates. Carboni dropped. Unclear if he can hold off the charging group of Eastman and others for 3rd.
Phinney accelerates away from Yates who still has a very strong day. 300m to go and nothing looks to change.
Phinney wins ahead of Yates! A great win for the American to dominate the final 2 stages.
Godoy sprints to the 3rd place bonus seconds, ahead of Misbah in 4th, Rodrigues 5th, Barguil, Warchol, Pidcock, Galta and Eastman through the top 10. Carboni with them and just a tiny, tiny gap to Almeida and Valter. Johannessen 14th with Schlegel taking 15th.
Riders coming in ones and twos across the line now trying to limit losses.
Phinney takes the stage and the yellow jersey… and the green jersey!
Van Poucke holds off the rest of the field in the KOM competition.
Pidcock displays an unbelievable Volta a Portugal to take the youth.
Gazelle takes the team, featuring some great final day climbing to top it all off.
Volta a Portugal 
