It’s the final stage of this year’s edition of Int. Österreich Rundfahrt, and it should finally be time for the sprinters to shine! The seven previous stages has all been too tough for them, but today they must fancy their chances for glory. 118 kilometers take them to the capital of Austria as the riders will decide the stage winner in Vienna.
Stage favourites are Hushovd Hutarovich Nelson
126 riders are ready to roll one final time in Austria this summer. Luckily, and definitely deserved, they’re honored with beautiful weather.
16 kilometers have been raced when we have what looks like today’s breakaway. No less than eight riders hope to cause a surprise to the teams with sprinters here as Rodriguez Galindo Reguigui Quintana Ebsen Raisin Loosli Chernetskiy Penasa
all find themselves two minutes ahead of the peloton with 102 kilometers to go.
They’re definitely allowed clear as the peloton, led by LukOil-Rostelekom
due to that they have the yellow jersey with Iglinski,
are four minutes behind 88 kilometers away from home.
All riders in the breakaway take their turns at the front to keep the peloton away, but it looks like it will be tough for them to stay away. With 62 kilometers left of this year’s Int. Österreich Rundfahrt they’re only 3’55 in front of the chasing bunch.
The race will finish with 10 laps on a local circuit in the area of Vienna with the finishing line being in the city. They cross the finish line for the first time with 53 kilometers left 3’25 ahead of the peloton.
Penasa
leads them, which means he also gets six points and bonus seconds. There are two more intermediate sprints to come, and they’ll also be on the finish line here in Vienna.
Two laps later it’s clear that Pivovarna Lasko
believes in Hutarovich
for the stage win as they’ve four riders at the head of the bunch chasing the breakaway. They’re doing well, as they’re now only 2’50 behind.
Rodriguez Galindo
gets the honor leading the escapers over the finish line finishing the third lap. He thus gets six sprint points. More important is the gap back to the peloton, which is now down to 2’30 with 36 kilometers to go.
Only 20 kilometers to go and it’s an organized chase. Pivovarna Lasko Alstom-RBC ANC Halfords
have all put riders at the front to bring the eight attackers back. They’re now 1’15 behind, meaning we should be looking at a bunch sprint.
Three laps and 17.6 kilometers to go for the breakaway as Ebsen
rolls through first to grab the final intermediate sprint today. The escapers are 1’15 in front of the peloton.
12.900 meters to go and the chasing bunch can now see the breakaway ahead of them as they approach the end of the third last lap! The time gap between them is 51 seconds.
For an unknown reason Cisse
decides to abandon the race in the streets of Vienna, only a few kilometers away from home.
The bell rings with 5.9 kilometers to go! The breakaway is still 20 seconds ahead of the peloton, but they look to be caught any moment now.
Back in the peloton no team has managed to put up a train for their sprinter here, as the sprinters are a bit behind the front of the peloton. Though, behind the front 7 chasers Pivovarna Lasko
has Fabbri Borrajo
in front of their ace Hutarovich Golas Ciocan
with Khalmutarov
in front of Hushovd
on their right.
On their left is Appleby Devine Barclay Nelson Pedersen
with Tzortzakis Machado Crespo
on the left of the road.
6.4 kilometers to go for them!
The catch is made with exactly 5 kilometers to go, and ANC Halfords
immediately goes to the front with three team mates in front of Nelson
That’s definitely looking good for the Aussie and his team!
This is amazing team work! 4.1 kilometers to go and at the very front it’s Appleby
followed by Devine Barclay Nelson Pedersen
with Tzortzakis Machado
on their right.
Hutarovich
and most other sprinters are a long way back as they couldn’t maneuver good enough when the peloton caught the breakaway riders.
The sprint doesn’t open before there’s no more than 2.100 meters left. Barclay
gives it everything for Nelson
with Pedersen Tzortzakis Machado Ascani Golas Ciocan Crespo Appollonio
following behind on one long line.
1.2 kilometers to go and look at the right! Borrajo
has made an amazing lead out for Hutarovich
to bring the Belarus back in the game!
Nelson
has just launched his sprint with Golas Pedersen Tzortzakis Crespo
following behind while Machado Ascani Appollonio
are on the right.
Golas
makes his move 800 meters from the line, looking for what you must say will be a sensational win here in Austria! And he certainly looks fast as he immediately challenges Nelson
300 meters to go and Nelson
is able to respond to the Polish challenger! Just behind them are Machado Crespo
Though, it’s Pedersen
who holds the fastest bike on the right, but has he waited too long?
Here he comes! Pedersen
is just unbelievable fast as he thunders to the line on the right! But will 100 meters be enough road for him to pass Nelson?
Yes, it definitely is! Pedersen
wins the final stage here with half a bike length!
Nelson
must be disappointed with second place seeing the lead out his team gave him was magnificent.
Golas
is able to hang on to a surprising third place in front of Crespo Machado Hushovd Tzortzakis Ciocan Bibby Hutarovich
That’s it from Int. Österreich Rundfahrt this year. Iglinski
wins the race after a superb performance on the Queen stage!
