Irishman Dan Martin has taken the victory and the race lead on the third stage of the Volta A Catalunya,
With Nacer Bouhanni of Cofidis having won the opening two stages, it was off to the Alps for stage three with four category one climbs on a 172.1km stage from Girona - La Molina (Alp).
After 27kms of racing, Alaphilippe, Bouwman, Reza, Howes, Van Zyl, Hirt and Duyn had got eight minutes clear and after fifty four kilometres that lead had gone out to eleven minutes.
That had dropped to 6.10 after eighty four kilometres and after Bouwman had taken the sprint before Nacer Bouhanni who had seen a Doctor on Tuesday after not feeling well, probably due to the bug that had swept through the peloton, was forced to abandon as did Tom Dumolin.
The gap was 4.40 with 65kms left as Bonnafond of AG2R abandoned and Huub Duyn of Roompot was first over the Alt de Toses which had snow on the top of it.
Howes and Duyn went away on the descent, riding at speeds of 81kmh before they started on the La Molina climb for the first time.
Peter Weening (Roompot) caught and passed them after 140kms after Rubén Fernández (Movistar) had abandoned.
Weening took the KOM Climb and the points there in before was joined by Louis Vervaeke of Lotto Soudal in the young riders jersey, for the final nine kilometres.
Vervaeke took over on the front before a Team Sky led group brought them back.
With 2.5kms left, Wout Poels started a move which saw Tejay Van Garderen lead before Chris Froome marked him.
There was 500 metres to go on the climb and with everyone looking at each other, Dan Martin of Etixx Quick Step attacked and away he went to win in a time of 5.00.37 ahead of Alberto Contador, Romain Bardet, Tejay Van Garderen and Richie Porte of BMC.
Chris Froome finished eighth with fellow British rider Hugh Carty in ninth place.
Dan Martin now leads the race by six seconds from Alberto Contador.