Itzulia Basque Country stage 6 LIVE – The heavens open on final stage of the race

Soler, Skjelmose and Healy still lead, with the Uno-X Mobility chase group 1:20 down, and the peloton 3:00 down.

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There are about 30 riders in this chase group led by Uno-X Mobility. The highest ranked rider on GC appears to be Tobias Halland Johannessen at 5:39.

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The group being led by Uno-X Mobility isn’t the peloton, but rather a very large chasing group. Paul Seixas and his main GC rivals are in the peloton, further behind.

Soler moves to the front of the leading trio and takes the points at the top of the climb.

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The pace set by Uno-X Mobility on the climb has seen the peloton significantly reduced in size already.

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The three rides leading the race.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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Uno-X Mobility are leading the chase in the peloton. They don’t have a GC man, so are doing so to try to form a new break with their riders represented in it.

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Peter Øxenberg has joined López in the chase.

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Here’s more on the news today that Pello Bilbao has announced his retirement from racing.

Still Soler, Healy and Skjelmose lead by 20 seconds, as the near the foot of the day’s second climb.

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The three leaders crested the first climb together ahead of the bunch, with Skjelmose taking the 3 points, Healy 2 points and Soler 1 point. Each of these riders do have some points in the KOM classification, but are some way down from the leader Paul Seixas.

1 Seixas 32 points

Soler, Healy and Skjelmose still lead, by about 20 seconds.

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The weather really has turned nasty today. This could make for a complicated final stage – and a new test for Paul Seixas, should his GC rivals want to put him under pressure in these conditions.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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Soler and Healy are reuniting having attacked together yesterday. It’s no surprise to see two riders with such an insatiable appetite for attacking get up the road again today.

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Three riders have gone clear from the bunch, and it’s a strong trio – Soler, Healy, and Skjelmose.

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As feared, the weather has taken a turn for the worse, and it’s started raining.

Still no break has gone clear, as they continue up the climb.

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Van der Lee on the attack.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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He’s been brought back, and the peloton is all together.

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Jardi Christiaan van der Lee has attacked on the climb. The Dutchman has ridden aggressively throughout this week.

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The climbing has begun pretty much straight away, with the riders already taking on the first of the day’s 6 categorised ascents: the 4.6km, 7.6% Alto de Asentzio.

And they’re off!

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We’ll bring you more on that Bilbao news later.

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A major announcement was made during sign-in today – Pello Bilbao will retire at the end of the season. The 36-year-old has been one of the best Basque riders of his generation, winning stages at and finishing in the top 6 at both the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France.

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As forecasted, the temperature has dipped from the highs of the week so far, but there’s no rain – at least not yet. Should the heavens open, this could become a complicated stage, what with all the descending as well as ascending.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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The riders will be racing soon – they’re just making their way through the neutralised zone towards the official start.

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Also missing from the start having pulled out are Julian Alaphilippe, Enzo Paleni and Gotzon Martin.

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There are a handful of riders who won’t be starting today – most notably Ben Tulett. The Brit had been 6th overall on GC, before being dropped early yesterday to slide down to 16th.

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Florian Lipowitz nearly managed to get the better of Seixas yesterday, sticking to his wheel throughout the stage, but came out second best in the final sprint between the two.