There were several attacks in the first hour of the 155.5 kilometres long stage with eight climbs. At last 16 and later 28 riders got away from the peloton. Lotto Soudal was represented by Tim Wellens, Tony Gallopin and Louis Vervaeke. Their lead rose up to more than four minutes; the teams of GC leader Henao, Rodriguez and Quintana controlled the peloton. In the last 30 kilometres the Alto de Aia, with slopes up to 26 percent, had to be climbed three times.

As expected, the front group was reduced on the Alto de Aia. More and more riders got dropped. On the second of three ascents five leaders were left: Wellens and Gallopin accompanied by Danielson and the Astana duo Taaramae and Landa. The five held on to an advantage on the group of favourites. Gallopin and Taaramae got distanced a few kilometres from the finish and the leading trio would fight for the victory in the final kilometer. The Basque Mikel Landa turned out to be the strongest, Tim Wellens was second and Danielson third. Tony Gallopin finished on the fifth place.

“I can quickly tell the story of my race day," Wellens said. "We took off with a large group with several climbers. We gained an advantage that might be sufficient for some of us to contest the stage win. With the steep climbs in the final I knew it would explode, but we were dependent on the strategy of the favourites. When we entered the last three kilometres, I thought we might make it to the finish line. First Taaramae accelerated, I bridged with Tony and three others. At the end we were left in front with three riders, Landa was the strongest.

“Thursday evening evening we had decided that this would be my last stage, so I chose to attack. Now I get an extra day of rest. This Vuelta al País Vasco has been the ideal preparation for the Ardennes classics. It was never the goal to ride a good GC, but to use this race to get the necessary race rhythm after my training camp of the end of March. Next week I’ll take the rest I need combined with a big training on Wednesday, then I should be ready for it.”