Lots of half-hearted or short-lived attacks from many on the penultimate time around Amurrio, including Canyon-SRAM trying to see if they could sneak Niewiadoma into a group off the front without SD Worx noticing (spoiler: they couldn't), and it seemed like every move not being made by Liane Lippert would either be countered or covered by Liane Lippert. Late-comer to the sport Claire Steels, a former university student and duathlete who moved into cycling in her early 30s and turned pro in 2020 in Spain, has gone on a flyer which has gained her a good amount of time but the bunch is increasing their pace ahead of the final climb so while Steels went at the right time, not sure that she will be able to hold off if one of the elite puncheuses make a concerted push for the stage. Plus of course Vollering has her unbeaten streak to pursue.
The lead's going up a bit ahead of the steep ramps, though, as they're trying to preserve effort for the hardest bit.
...and Niewiadoma attacks as soon as it gets steep because of course she does. And Lippert covers her because of course she does. Steels is doomed, Kasia is catching her. Vollering motors and Lippert hits the wall a bit taking a bad line through a really steep corner.
Now it's Steels/Kasia and Vollering, and Baril and Lippert chasing. Vollering has her unbeaten run to preserve, and surely she can win a sprint from this three. The only even remote possibility she doesn't win is if the chasing duo get back on because Liane has a pretty useful kick too.
No momentum in the group as obviously Baril and Niewiadoma don't want to sprint, I know nothing about Steels' sprinting ability but as she was caught to make that group I think she's fair to take a bit of a break from working. Second group catches them so there will be a sprint of 12-15 unless a late attack works, and Reusser is attempting to do just that.
Canyon-SRAM try to make it a long sprint with Paladin, but you simply do not defeat Demi-Goddess in the Basque Country. It just does not happen and will not happen.