A fairly nice day for a long classic today, not too warm and fairly light winds even atop the mighty Jaixkibel. Here we are with out intrepid breakaways on the first ascent of this long climb for the punchy men with about 100km to go.
The long and winding road
Aregger (Venchi), Lane (RBC), Venter (Gazelle), Yeung (Compal), Garcia (CSC) and Groenwegen (Hornbach) are the sextet who have broken clear.
It seems more tactical then with geniune victory hopes with a number of riders here with stronger team leaders and expected challengers in the pack.
Venchi are actually leading the pack with Swedbank, Metinvest, RBC and Bacardi lending a hand.
Venchi all over this
At one stage the gap was near 10 minutes but is bought down to a very easy to handle five on this first Jaizkebel ascent. By the time they get to the next ascent the gap is well down to just two minutes with the break easily visable on these open roads.
Breaks days are numbered
Sad news that on the first descent of the Jaizkibel Bartl (FCB Polska) had to abandon after a nasty fall. Perhaps not a big deal but still sad for a decent domestique.
Back to the race and seeing a few riders around feeling a little tired Gazelle try and interesting tactic considering the pack is still 100 strong. Monfort attacks the pack near the top of the Jaizkibel.
Monfort goes for a long one
An interesting tactic from a favourite, Monfort is really rolling the dice here as we are still about 50km from the finish line. The break ahead of Gazelle breaks up and reforms a couple of times on the descent and in the next 20km as they play cat and mouse with Monfort sandwiched in between them and the pack.
But this feels like the appetiser before the final Arkale climb and that tough finale. Monfort and four of the breakaways are swept up by a Bacardi led pack. Gazelle and Venchi still have joker card up front as Aregger and Venter are still away showing some real fight.
Venter and Aregger are strong men of the day
The pack allow these two pitbulls a couple more moments in the fame as they await this crucial Arkale climb, indeed as soon as the slopes rise we get a big move from the favourites.
Arkale time
Bellis (RBC) ignites things – he knows he can win from a small group but he wants smaller than last year. Fellow brit Dowsett (Jaguar) follows as does last years second Ventoso (CSC), Monfort is there again looking strong also there is Di Maggio (Venchi) and Skujins (Swedbank).
Ulissi (Bacardi) is showing some trust here and indeed he is correct as his team successfully reel this and the former two men in the break at the same time. Ignatiev (Metinvest) is here as is Betencur (FCB-Polska) proving they are up for this.
six man danger move neutralised
Skujins followed the first move but is now firing out a bullet of his own – a big move from the young Latvian. Dowsett (Jaguar) looks to follow with the pack yet to re-organise following the catch.
Skujins fires a bullet across the pack
Skujins burns off Dowsett and has the solo lead over the top of the Arkale – we haven't seen a solo move be successful at this San Sebastian classic for a while – but this is looking very dangerous as Skujins descends well.
Racing down the descent
The pack is really stretched and team leaders are beginning to pelt off the front as this descent is looking like splitting things up with tired legs falling back. Ventoso (CSC) looks to be the stronger of their two leaders fancying a small group sprint perhaps.
Ventoso looks to reel young Latvian in
He is followed by Betencur, Monfort, Dowsett, Bellis, Ulissi, Di Maggio and Ignatiev – this is a real elite group here.
We get onto flat roads and inexplicably Betencur slips back.
Betencur hasn't the stamina for this
These chasers look at each other not wanting to bring each other two the lead in particular you feel Ventoso and Bellis are fast finishers. The Italians Di Maggio and Ulissi (also no slouch in finishing speed) manage to manauver Ventoso out of the picture and bridge to Skujins with Bellis.
Four at front
Skujins then proving the rabbit for the catch. Behind these four we get a crucial hesitation as the other chasers look hard at Ventoso who shakes his head, allowing the tired looking Betencur to catch. The pack behind are not too far away either so all results still possible.
The moment of hesitation – team managers cars go ballistic
Desperation takes its toll as the angry Metinvest manager gets through to Ignatiev as he makes a push with predictably Ventoso on his wheel.
Ventoso is playing a dangerous game – can he follow the Russian?
Up front it is looking like the Italians against each other as Bellis is offering nothing to the pace and of course Skujins is looking very much like he is out of bullets. Di Maggio decides to look at his stem and go full Maggio on one of the small climbs.
Ullisi loses the Maggic man's wheel
Yes the bike lengths are opening up as Ulissi cannot make up the ground – he flicks his elbow furiously but no help is coming.
Still there is over 10 klicks left perhaps Ignatiev and Ventoso who soon join he, Skujins and Bellis can help with the pace. Di Maggio's margin is far from secure just 20 or so seconds.
Ullissi vs Di Magg in a flat race
However it is all seeming left to Ulissi as Ignatiev and Ventoso just sit in, you'd fancy Ulissi to catch Di Maggio most times over the flat. Ulissi of course a former winner of Milan San Remo should have no stamina concerns. But the kilometres slip by and the gap doesn't really change you sense behind Ulissi there is something from the others to offer but they do not help.
Behind these the pack have not fallen away thanks to Gazelle. A number of riders still have an interest in at least seventh and maybe more?
Rest still feel they have a chance
2.5km to go Di Maggio is still powering away – he hasn't been totally decisive but credit to him he isn't looking over his shoulder and arguably now deserves the win.
Di magg digs in
He we go Ignatiev and Ventoso start to sprint past Ulissi have these two judged this well, both have made individual moves at times today to be fair but have not helped Ulissi in the run in. Still if either win from here their managers will celebrate.
The wheelsuckers strike
Final klick and this is looking tight as Di Maggio can feel Ventoso and Ignatiev so close.
Last kilo
But also the gap holds as Di Maggio can celebrate perhaps the tactics behind. He went with his strength on the climbs and hung on to his gap well over perhaps a slightly below par Ulissi.
Di magg joins the legends
Ventoso finishes second again, today did he have the strength to win? Ignatiev is third a pretty good place for the rider more known for individual riding.
Ventoso may be venting his own tactics
Ulissi actually holds Bellis proving at least the Brit was not bluffing about having nothing left. Possibly not on a good day or not happy with the length of this one. Skujins very much hanging on for sixth, nice try from him.
Zsolt Der (RBC) wins the sprint from the pack to get a second decent San Sebastian finish in the last two years. Good for him in the lottery of the small group hilly sprint.
Der wins the little lotto
A few names missed out here - notably Betencur (FCB-Polska) Alex Dowett (Jaguar) amd Maxime Monfort (Gazelle) who slid back to 23rd, 25th and 27th.
