A five-man break gained an advantage of 27 minutes and 40 seconds on the road - the longest gap of the entire race.

With the big-hitters trying to take things easy ahead of Friday's time trial, a break was always likely on such a long day - and so it proved.

Nonetheless, 243 kilometres in the lead of a race takes some effort and chubby-cheeked Neopolitan Commesso deserved his victory, having been active on several stages of this year's race.