When one did form itself, the German team kept controlling the peloton during most of the stage, not allowing it to have freedom to fight for the stage win. Nicolas Prodhomme, Paul Double, Alessandro Tonelli, Manuele Tarozzi, Gianmarco Garofoli, Gijs Leemreize and Christian Scaroni formed the front group.
With 41 kilometers to go there was a crash involving French hopes Romain Bardet and David Gaudu, both having gotten hurt seemingly but returned to the peloton. The peloton comfortably controlled the front group and inside the final climb caught it with 5 kilometers to go.
INEOS Grenadiers entered the climb in front, then Bahrain - Victorious took over before the start of the steep section of the ascent which would begin in the final 3 kilometers. UAE then hit the front when the steep section began, but there was hesitation in the final 2 kilometers. That was until 800 meters to go when
Egan Bernal attacked, and Juan Ayuso then paced everyone off the wheel.
Ayuso took a strong and convincing win on the first mountain stage of the race, and UAE Team Emirates - XRG sealed an ideal 1-2 as
Isaac del Toro sprinted to second place from behind. Egan Bernal was third, followed by Primoz Roglic who jumps into the race lead, ahead of Ayuso by a mere 4 seconds.