1.   Alaves kept in touch with leading pack with a convincing win thanks to two goals by Argentine centreback Fabrizio Coloccini and one from striker Ruben Navarro.

2.   As the leading pack started the grueling assent under low cloud, Museeuw was looking good for another win on home territory.

3.   Joined by another dozen riders, the leading pack was never caught by the overall leaders.

4.   On Wednesday he finished one second behind the leading pack in the second stage.

5.   Russian Asiate Saitov, who was knocked a bit by the bang-up in the leading pack, placed second with the same time.

6.   She was with the leading pack from the start but used her speed in the final stretch to pull away.

7.   Assa Abloy took advantage of being at the rear of the becalmed leading pack to move further offshore to gain a break that Nicorette could not make up.

8.   Di Luca had the last word in a leading pack that, as well as the three podium finishers, also included Bettini and Davide Rebellin.

9.   Even more serious is the plight of Lazio who are rapidly losing touch with the leading pack.

10.   Tonkov finished in the leading pack and maintains the pink overall leaders jersey.