[2] An overcast and sticky morning in Northern Spain welcomed the riders to the start line for the early roll out towards the hills of the Basque country.

A nine-rider breakaway formed early in the stage and including Christian Meier of Orica–BikeExchange.

After 45 kilometers of racing the leaders had over four minutes advantage with much climbing ahead.

Orica–BikeExchange controlled the front of the race for most of the 165.7 kilometers before super-domestique Damien Howson moved up the road as the breakaway was neutralized towards the final climb.

With a few kilometers to go Yates made the decisive attack on the last climb, holding off Angel Madrazo, Alexander Vdovin, Javier Moreno, and David Belda to take an impressive solo victory and set the race record for the fastest ascent of the final climb.