Rui Costa, of Portugal, crossed the line in 5:59:01 with an average power output of 250 watts over the 204.5km stage. He climbed a total of 4,858 meters with an average heart rate of 146bpm requiring over 5,000 kilocalories.

Assisted by team-mates Rubén Plaza and José Joaquín Rojas, Costa joined the 43 rider escape today, formed before the first ascent with just 10k covered. 

In the first HC climb Rui averaged 293 watts with 85rpm average cadence for just over one hour. 

Rui Costa: "I'm really happy. First thing, I have to thank Plaza and Rojas, my team-mates into the break, who helped me in everything. They left me fresh at the foot of the last climb so I only had to attack and win, and things went perfectly. It was basically the same strategy from the other day: I had to wait for the last climb and make a move."

In the 9 minute highlight of the attack at the base of the climb Costa held 364 average watts with a cadence of 88rpm average. He delivered several power peaks between 550 and 600 watts during this attack.

In the last 22km, which included a Category 1 climb, Costa averaged 320 watts with 80rpm average cadence and 165bpm heart rate. He took the final mountain points and descended 13km to the stage victory in Le Grand Bornand.

Movistar Team's Alejandro Valverde finished less than nine minutes behind Costa moving him back into the GC top 10. He averaged 241 watts in the "Queen Stage" at an average speed of 33kph demanding over 5,000 kilocalories. 

"It was a really hard stage," comments Valverde. "Though we tackled all climbs with a steady pace."

On the final climb, Croix-Fry, Valverde did make an attack and pushed 357 average watts to the summit. "I'm showing again I have the legs to be on the podium," adds Valverde. "And I would be there if if hadn't happened what did on stage 13 [technical]."