Brian COQUARD. 10 with honors. At 34 years old, he finds the touch of his best days. He wins at the photo finish, but he wins, and how he wins. Applause for this Cofidis rider who never gives up and who today, finally, wins. A hook from a great boxer that leaves its mark, that lifts his spirits and those of his teammates. It was much needed: it's his third victory of the season, the 56th of his career, the first in a Grand Tour.

Mads PEDERSEN. 10. He loses by a hair's breadth, but this time he has to settle for second. Even though the Dane is the type who always likes to be up front, even after the fatigue of the Tour, which he's recovering from in this Vuelta.

Jordi MEEUS. 7. The 28-year-old Belgian from Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe throws himself into the mix and ends up being crushed by two superstars.

Ben TURNER. 6.5. The 27-year-old British rider from Netcompany tries to bring home something and does manage to bring home something.

Alessandro ROMELE. 8. The 22-year-old from Bergamo has developed a taste for it: in this Vuelta, his first Grand Tour of his career, he's collecting results repeatedly. An 11th in the time trial, a 4th and a 6th in the sprint: no small feat.

Orluis AULAR. 5. He's always there, but in this Vuelta he always seems too far from the action: it's not like him.

Eric MAS. 10. Tadej goes down, he goes up. That's life, beautiful, which today is beautiful and tomorrow it's not. Today things are going right for the Spaniard, but Eric is the right man and the red jersey—as Savoldelli did in that dark day of Pantani with the pink—the red jersey, I say, he does not wear.