Greig Leach

With the peloton catching the last of the early escapees on the lower slopes of the Cipressa (the penultimate climb of the day), it was time for the opportunists to try and surprise the others. The first to jump free of the rather large peloton was Giovanni Visconti (Movistar). Visconti's move was quickly covered by Ian Stannard (Sky). The two opened up a quick 15 seconds on those behind. They worked together all the way to the top where Stannard led the Italian down the fast, twisting descent. I couldn't help put notice the bright orange pads that lined most of the corners on the way down. It was a little distressing to watch one of the men riding for FDJ slam into the pad. Comforting to know that the pad did the job it was designed for, as he jumped back on his bike and continued racing.