It consisted of 21 stages covering a total of 2,957 km (1,837 mi), and was won by Aitor González of the Kelme–Costa Blanca cycling team.

Beloki lost considerable time to other general classification contenders Óscar Sevilla, Aitor González and Heras.

Heras started the day with a lead of one minute and eight seconds over González but he lost this in the first 25 km of the time trial.

Team cars stalled on the steepest part, some unable to restart because their tires slipped on messages painted by fans.

David Millar crashed three times[4] and protested by handing in his race number a metre from the line.