Robic and Fachleitner, fifth in the general classification, started to work together, and left Brambilla and Ronconi minutes behind. Around 140 km before the finish, they were three minutes ahead of Brambilla, which made Robic the virtual leader of the race. At that point Robic told Fachleitner: "You can not win the Tour, because I will not let you escape.
Robic and Fachleitner, who were fifth overall, started working together and left Brambilla and Ronconi behind. They had a three-minute lead over Brambilla with 140 km to go, making Robic the de facto leader of the race.  Robic then told Fachleitner that he wouldn't let him win the Tour because he was blocking his escape.