The bunch indeed reaches the first intermediate sprint at Cosne-d’Allier together led by Diego Milan (ESP), Kasper Jebjerg and Jonas Jorgensen (both DEN). At the top of the first climb, the Côte du Quaire (km 61,5), the pack still bunched is led by Aleksey Kunshin (RUS), Jérome Coppel (FRA), Frederik Wilmann (NOR) and Paul Voss (GER).

At the second intermediate sprint at Saint-Gervais-d’Auvergne José Mendes (POR) beats Dalivier Ospina (MIX – COL) in the front positions of a pack that also makes it bunched at the top of the Côte de Vareille  with Mendes, Ospina, Andreas Frisch (DEN), Maciej Paterski (POL), Marcos Garcia (ESP) and Coppel clinching climber’s points. .

Decisive moves finally occur in the climb up the Côte des Marteaux. Twenty-two riders manage to break away (Spilak, Coppel, Bering, Frisch, Mendes, Rocha, Van Emden, Van Winden, Klemme, Malori, Smukulis, Vanendert, Gruzdev, Garcia, Milan, Randin, Kaupas, Krupinski, Paterski, Ospina, Boasson Hagen, Kristoff). Rocha decides to give it a go on his own and takes off. At the top he enjoys a 20’’ lead over Frisch, Mendes, Gruzdev, Malori and Boasson Hagen in the front positions of the first chasing group. Meanwhile the main group remains 2’25 behind.

Rocha gradually increases his lead: 1’10 on the first group after 112 kilometers and 3’ on the pack. In the climb up the Côte de Bannières Rocha confirms his lead with a 1’15 advantage over Garcia, Frisch and Mendes. But the pack starts moving closer, at 1’45. The bunch catched the counter-attacking men at the descent. Anthony Roux (FRA) decides to break away on his own. He remains 50” behind Rocha at kilometre 120. The bunch at that moment is 1’20 behind. After 137 kilometers Rocha keeps a 20’’ advantage over Roux caught by Taborre. One minute behind, Buividas and Beuret try to move closer while Kunshin who managed to pull out of the pack is at 2’15. The main group remains 2’45 adrift.

Rocha then decides slow down and wait for Roux and Taborre. The three riders are bunched together with 32 kilometers to go. The front group is eventually caught by two other riders: Buividas and Beuret. With 25 kilometers to go, the leading group can enjoy a 55” lead over Kupeshov ahead of a pack, 1’20 adrift. Kupeshov is finally caught back. In the climb up the Côte de Saint-Victoire-la-Rivière, the bunch is only 45” behind. Intxausti decides to take off on a counter-attack taking with him Spilak, Steensen, Martin, Cataldo, Vanendert, Herrada, Wyss and Mollema. They eventually catch the leaders. Cataldo attacks again followed by Taborre and Buividas. At the top, Cataldo makes it first ahead of Taborre, Buividas, Spilak, Mollema and Vanendert.

In the final climb, a battle takes place between the leaders for stage success. Attacks are ever-present and finally Cataldo manages a good enough gap to clinch his second victory on the Tour. Behind, Mollema in a quest to re-conquer the yellow jersey he lost two days ago claims second spot. Overall leader Tony Martin (GER) fails to follow the front men and loses over 40” precious seconds. Mollema in the overall lead can start considering final victory with three days to go.