[4] A breakaway formed at kilometer 48 composed of Alexander Vinokourov (Astana), Laurent Pichon (Bretagne–Schuller), Paolo Locatelli (Colnago–CSF Bardiani), László Bodrogi (Team Type 1–Sanofi) and Matteo Fedi (Utensilnord–Named).

[2][6] The mass sprint was very close with Mark Renshaw (Rabobank) taking the win over fellow Australian Matthew Goss (GreenEDGE) by a margin that was impossible to distinguish with the naked eye.

[8] Gabrovski defended his leader's jersey with the few of his teammates of Konya – Torku Seker Spor who had the resources to help, as they were left in front of the peloton without any help to catch the 3 escapees.

They ultimately reeled them in, and a long series of attacks ensued with about 20 kilometers to go, all of which were covered by Gabrovski himself since his team did not have the resources to keep the frantic pace up.

[9] Belgian Iljo Keisse of Omega Pharma–Quick-Step won the stage after dropping his 6 breakaway companions with 6 kilometers to go, building a sizable gap with them and the surging peloton.