Like many of the preceding stages, an early break away was allowed to escape, but kept within reach of the sprinter teams. In this stage, the break away consisted of Christian Knees (Team Milram) who initiated the break away, and Walter Bénéteau () and Stéphane Augé () who joined soon after. The break away was eliminated with four kilometers to go, and so was an attack from Stuart O'Grady () two kilometers later. The final sprint was won by Óscar Freire (), after an impressive maneuvre by Robbie McEwen ().