The two-man South American attack for 130km through the Prades mountains saw the general classification upended as Higuita jumped from third to first overall, with Carapaz moving from tenth overall to second.
It had been a fast start to the stage, with a number of attacks trying to go clear but it was the start of category 1 climb Coll de les Llebres after 29 kilometres that was to provide the fireworks. The pace was raised, reducing the peloton to just a select group of 20 riders.
That was when Australian Luke Plapp (INEOS Grenadiers) attacked alongside teammate Carapaz and Higuita, the trio forging their way clear by the summit of the climb, with still 129 kilometres of technical and rolling terrain still to come. Plapp was able to lay down a scorching pace for his team leader, and the escapees quickly increased their lead over the other general classification riders.
Plapp dropped back from the leaders, eventually abandoning the race, but the two riders had over a minute’s lead by that point and were extending as a disorganised chase formed behind. Most of the UAE Team Emirates squad of race leader João Almeida had been dropped initially and as they came back to Almeida to assist, the gap ballooned out to three minutes, ultimately reaching a maximum of 3:35 with 65 kilometres remaining.
UAE Team Emirates toiled without assistance with Rui Costa the lone man helping for most of the stage, until Uno-X came to the fore to inject some pace, which led to a rapid decrease in the lead for the front pair.
The final climb commenced with 35 kilometres to go, and Carapaz and Higuita were able to largely maintain the two-minute advantage that they held at the base, only losing ten seconds on the category 2 ascent.
Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates), fourth overall at the start of the stage, took up the chase over the top of the climb, but ended up descending so fast that he gapped the rest of the peloton and disrupted the chase, eventually he had to sit up and be caught as the other contenders led a chase.
Carapaz and Higuita worked well all the way into the finish, neither shirked work, but Higuita appeared especially motivated as if they finished together it would be him that would take over the general classification lead as he had begun the stage with a 20 second lead over his Ecuadorian compatriot.
In the end, it was Carapaz who took the stage win in Cambrils, just about outsprinting his breakaway companion at the line and moving up to second overall in the process, 16 seconds behind Higuita.
Australian Kaden Groves showcased his all-round ability as he had managed to stick with the next group on the road, sprinting to third on the day and shaking his head as he crossed the finish as to what might have been.
Former race leader João Almeida finished in the chase group at 48 seconds down to tumble to third place overall, 52 seconds behind Higuita.
The Volta a Catalunya continues with Stage 7, the now traditional hard loop race around Barcelona that often sees plenty of attacking and action in the battle for the general classification. Watch from the earlier time of 2130 AEDT on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand for all the racing.
SBS will also be broadcasting Gent-Wevelgem from 2245 AEDT Sunday night, with the men's and women's race both live and free.
