One year ago Alejandro Valverde won the first big mountain stage of the Tour but in his absence, David Arroyo’s 17th place was the highlight of the day for the Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears team. He came home in a group 4’10 back, but had earlier made a big bid for a stage victory which may have paid off had the GC battle not been so intense.
Arroyo attacked with Damiano Cunego (Lampre) at the end of the descent of the Portillon and quickly caught the lone leader David De la Fuente (Saunier Duval). However some committed riding by Rabobank’s Michael Rasmussen saw the trio hauled back before the final climb up to the finish at Pla de Beret.
