Joaquim Rodriquez has won the third stage of the Tour Of The Basque Country.
Michael Matthews retained his slim lead in the race with a second place going into the third stage which was a 170.5kms stage from Vitoria Gasteiz to Zummarga and featured eight climbs.
The break was formed by Lieuwe Westra of Astrana, Sander Armee of Lotto Soudal, British rider Hugh Carthy and Omar Fraile of Caja Rural, who had 4.25 on the peloton after 43kms and 5.30 twelve kilometres later.
Fraile took the second categorised climb to add six points to the ten he had got for taking the first climb.
With 82 kilometres left, the gap was at 3.59 to the peloton, some of whom were involved in a crash at the feedzone. Kolobnev of Katusha and Calvin Watson of Trek Factory were two who needed treatment.
Jussi Veikkanen of FDJ and Watson were forced to abandon as the riders started on the category two Alto de Urkillaga climb of 7.2%.
Fraile took the points on that climb before Andrew Talansky became the latest rider to crash. Thankfully, he was able to get back on his bike and continue on the climbs.
After ascending and descending the Gabiria which Fraile took the points on. the big climb of the day was the Alto de Antigua which the riders had to do twice.
The escapers started on it with a lead of two minutes on the peloton which had Movistar and Lotto Soudal on the front.
It was down to 1.10 when Leuwe Westra decided to go off with twenty nine kilometres left and opened up a lead of fifty seconds over Fraile and 1.03 over the peloton.
On the third category Alto de Atagoiti and Westra had a 54 second lead with 18.5 km to go which was down to 22 seconds eight kilometres later.
The Astana rider stayed away until there was four kilometres left and Movistar with Nairo Quintana led on the final ascent of the Antiqua.
Henao of Team Sky tried to get away followed by Quintana and Rodriquez as they went over the top amid massive crowds.
This three stayed away and it was Joaquim Rodriquez who won ahead of Hena and Quintana in a time of 4.39.02, followed by Kwiatkowski and Majka.who were seven seconds back.
Sergio Henao now leads the race from Rodriquez on count back.