The
Bahrain - Victorious rider followed the furious leadouts of INEOS Grenadiers, UAE Team Emirates and Team Jayco AlUla and bet his cards on a sprint. It looked for a while like that wasn't to happen as an attack early in the climb from Majka and van Eetvelt was only cancelled with around 300 meters to go. "I got a little nervous when Rafal Majka and the Lotto Dstny rider pulled away, but Damiano Caruso maintained a very nice pace towards the last kilometers, so I kept my confidence."
Mohoric then himself bridged across to the duo, and then started his sprint early. "In the end we came back and I could start sprinting for the stage victory. I kept thinking that someone would come around, but no one got past me anymore."
João Almeida, perhaps the main favourite for the overall classification after today, was on the Slovenian's wheel all the way to the line, but with no cracks Mohoric was able to hold off the UAE rider and take a very strong win on what was a difficult climb.
“When I started training again, I really couldn't believe how good my legs were. Maybe there was some relief after my stage victory in France, because I was no longer stressed. All the pressure to deliver results was gone. I could enjoy my children and good food for a while. I am very happy with my result and I would like to continue racing this week and later this year in Belgium," he concluded.