There were five mountains on the stage, all of which were in categories 4 to 2. There were also two intermediate sprints again. Mercado, García Acosta, Joly, Flecha, Fofonow and Lotz were able to break away from the main field early on. The German Ronny Scholz was unable to catch up with the leading group after a defect . Filippo Simeoni wanted to join the runaways, but was followed by Lance Armstrong , with whom he was in the legal dispute over the doping allegations about the doctor of both drivers, Michele Ferrari . Since it was clear that the field would not let Armstrong go, he talked to the other runaways and only fell back when Simeoni did the same.
With a lead of eleven minutes over the peloton, the leading group won the stage among themselves. Sébastien Joly initially attacked 15 kilometers from the finish on the last mountain classification, but this was foiled. Only Juan Miguel Mercado was able to escape and pull out a small lead. José Vicente García Acosta could still jump to Mercado. Twelve kilometers from the finish there was the duo Mercado / García Acosta in the lead, followed by the trio Fofonow / Lotz / Flecha. Sébastien Joly was still behind, but he was able to catch up with the trio again. Mercado was able to prevail in the sprint against García Acosta and won the stage.
In the field, which was eleven minutes behind, there was another attack by Sandy Casar , who wanted to improve his position for the white jersey, but he did not succeed. Thor Hushovd won the sprint of the peloton ahead of Robbie McEwen and Danilo Hondo .
