--- *** --- *** --- *** ---

Wow, Cohan even buys an ad and makes a re-appearance.
They took a nice little shot at Chloe and I there, but I'm used to it.

As you saw it's Craddock and I in the morning breakaway.
That's actually not how the team plans were drawn up though.
Craddock and I flipped a coin before the race to decide which one of us
could try and get into the breakaway. Guess who won? ... Yep, I did.

I wasn't going to let him steal my moment, so I joined him in the breakaway.
Luckily the peloton didn't care and we had a nice chat when I caught up to him.

I would tell you what I told him but... yeah... that wouldn't be a good idea.
Plus, it's back on. Let's get back to the racing!

The race continues to spread further apart between the peloton and breakaway.



With 145kms to go and 6 out of the 14 circuits complete the gap is 10 minutes!



This could get interesting if the peloton isn't careful.
The only action they have seen today is a flat by one of the favourites.



Rigoberto Uran. 3rd at the Giro d'Italia and 9th at the Tour de France.



At the century mark, 100kms to go, the gap is rather reasonable at 6'45".

Our statisticians in the truck have broken down the work load in the breakaway:
Newton (67%), Lawson (21%), and everyone else (12%).



Will the peloton pick up the pace or will the breakaway stay away?

Find out next as we are staying live for the rest of race after this short break!

--- *** --- *** --- *** ---

There is the United States Army commercial, been waiting for that.
I swear out of every 5 commercials now there is at least one for military service.

I don't have much to say about the last update.
Craddock helped me out a little, but 67% of the work load! Come on.

It was the only way I was going to win, so I just keep pushing.

Eventually karma struck back, as you will see.

We are pleased to say we are Live until the finish thanks to our sponsors...

And just in time! We have another flat tire. This time in the breakaway!



Lawson Craddock! This is the worst possible moment with 33kms to go.



He isn't going to be able to make it back. Karma for not helping his teammate?



Perhaps, but there is no time to debate as Jakob Fuglsang,
Astana captain - 6th at the Tirreno-Adriatico and 9th at the Giro d'Italia,
has attacked out of the peloton with 27kms to go. The breakaway is right there.



He storms past the breakaway riders and sees the 20kms to go banner.
Is this the winning attack? Where is the peloton?



There they are. 18kms to go, they have caught the morning breakaway.
They gave it their best shot... let me rephrase that. Travis Newton did.
The rest of them sat and watched. A shame for the man from Kansas.

Seconds later Fuglsang is brought back as well.



16kms to go, another attack! This time by Rui Costa.
We don't have to look far for his notably result: 2nd at 2017 Vuelta a Espana.



A chase group of 6 has formed behind Costa as the peloton has broken up:

Daniel Martin, Tejay Van Garderen, Peter Sagan,
Roman Kreuziger, Chris Froome, and Carlos Betancur.



The 2017 Giro d'Italia Winner makes his move with 8kms to go, Froome.



Costa isn't backing down though, he has finished the final climb.



5kms to go, can Froome close the 42 second gap on Costa?



NO! Rui Costa is your 2017 World RR Champion!



Froome takes the turn into the finish looking to claim 2nd.



But, is denied by a charging Sagan! So, your podium reads:

Rui Costa - Peter Sagan - Chris Froome

(Fast-forward... -> -> -> )



There is the man that probably put in the most work today out of everyone.
Travis Newton crosses the line to finish 87th.

A disappointing result, but he certainly showed a lot of heart out here today.

(Stop â– )

16 Seasons / 208 Eps. / 292 Days / 7008 hours / 420,480 mins. It all comes to an end tomorrow at 9:30AM USA EST. Its been fun. #TheComeback

— Mre (@Mresuperstar) March 30, 2014