The favourutes at the start line in Leuven. Will they also be the one to triumph in the end? It’s the last cobbled classic for a while and the 204 kilometer long road from Leeuven to Overijse should claim a true northern specialist as victor.
Reichenbach (IAM) and Cordeel (LTB) are the first to attack, just a few kilometers outside of Leeuven. In the background, Lutsenko (AST) and Cristobal Riquelme (BEL) want to be part of the break of the day as well. Needless to say that none of the 4 riders gets very far though since many teams keep the pace high by attacking.
Cristobal Riquelme (BEL) is taking good use of his acceleration though and Egoi Martinez (EUS) sure knows whose wheel might turn into the lucky one. Jimmy Engoulvent (SOJ) is their in the break too. However, Di Silvestro (EUC) and Cordeel (LTB) rested their legs a bit too early and fell back, while the 3 riders have a lead of a minute after 10 kilometers of racing.
Despite being by far the best cobbler of the break, Engoulvent already gets dropped after a little, tiny climb by Cristobal Riquelme and Martínez. The question rises: What will be more important, your punchy hill abilities or how well you can take the cobblestones? Engoulvent gets back rather fast into the group though for now. Meanwhile, BMC, Omega Pharma, Europcar and Lotto each contribute one rider to the chase. That’s good enough to limit the gap at around 4 minutes for now after 40 kilometers.
Definitely a special mention should go to Egoi Martinez. After the tough cobblestone campaign from Euskaltel – Euskadi, he really represents the team here. Normally this burden rested solely on Rudy Verboven, and who knows, maybe this tactic will be successful for the basque team?
At about Kilometer 90, three riders break out of the peloton. Vandousselaere (TSV), Saramotins (IAM) and Vantomme (CRE) have the aim to get to the front of the race. However with 6 minutes between them, this won’t be an easy task at all. They have plenty of road though to catch up.
Two riders from Accent Jobs, Scheirlinckx and Commeyne, want to get upfront there as well. Of course, if they want to succeed, they have to try something early on. Back in the peloton, Omega Pharma, Cannondale and BMC keep it still friendly though and just maintain the pace. Enough reason for another attack, Kevin Hulsman (VIN) tires it this time around.
At this point then, there are 3 groups consisting each of 3 riders. While the two 3-men groups make up time onto the BOTD, the peloton maintains its 6 minute gap mostly and is not inclined to do more work than necessary.
Not the nicest attitude from Hulsman though. As soon as he joined Group Accent Jobs, he refuses to do any work. This is really not the time for tactical plays with 100 kilometers left. Actually, it’s rather unbelieveable.
Spoiler
Oh shit, what’s Control Team Rider Harald Totschnig doing here?!
And there they come, the next 3 riders. Soon there will be a 9 men group upfront, but how will they react when they see the two Accent Jobs guys?
At 80 kilometers left, Nuyens gets launched by Vansummeren. Nobody tries to follow him.
There’s a good chemistry in the group now. Engoulvent, Cristobal Riquelme and Martinz are the only guys who rest a bit here and there. Understandable. Hulsman does work too now. Nobody seems to mind the two Accent Jobs guys. With only 4 minutes left at 70 kilometers left, it’s more important to maintain the lead onto the peloton anyway.
The first pave at the Kilometer 140. Nuyens is close.
And there he comes rushing. Nuyens catches the break in the next second round of pave for good. Oddly enough, the break increased their lead onto the peloton. It’s steadly at 5 minutes for the last 20 kilometers, despite the peloton’s increased chasing efforts. Desperate attacks are the measure the riders are taking as soon as Nuyens joins. They obviously know that if they are riding with him, there’s no chance they’ll have. But what chance do they stand now anyway when they waste their energy like that? Let him do the work, I’d say.
Martinez is the only guy who couldn’t really manage the attack and got dropped. Sure, he’ll come back but it’s likely he will drop soon again.
What’s going on here? Nuyens seems like he cracked. Sure, chasing a group all by yourself for so many kilometers and especially so fast takes a toll, but… seriously? Martinez is back in the group. I think Euskaltel manager Etxeberdea must very happy regarding this performance... and probably can't believe it. It’s 40 kilometers and the break has 6(!) minutes lead… but…
Greg Van Avermaet attacks from the peloton and heats up the pace there. Despite Cannondale and Omega Pharma chasing, he establishes a lead very quickly. He wants to win he needs to do some serious chasing now.
In the break all riders now they can make it. Only Cristobal Riquelme does no work since apparently “Belkin are chasing back in the peloton”. They are not. Belkin isn't doing a single turn. But he probably uses Vanmarcke as an excuse.
One thing is clear by now, the Accent Jobs guys are incredible strong and working perfect together. It’s due to them in large parts that Nuyens has a gap of over a minute by now! He sure looked like he cracked.
Engoulvent, Cristobal Riquelme and Martinez get dropped for sure now… No chance left for them. Engoulvent is the only one working. Cristobal Riquelme refuses and Martinez is completely empty, he can’t do any work anymore.
Spoiler
Chavanel sets the next attack from the peloton and looks to catch up to Van Avermaet. Movistar and Europcar are chasing back there. Due to both attacks, Voeckler’s pace split the peloton apart. Only 30 riders remain in that big group. Riders that dropped are Boom and Oget.
Nobody is more impressive as Martinez today. As soon as the hills are up, he works again. Cristobal, what’s going on with you? The internet forums are burning with comments that the Chilean guy should finally do some work here.
Well, who’s coming here at 20 kilometers left? It’s Sagan, and he wants to get past Chavanel and Van Avermaet fast now. That’s good for both of them: Cannondale was the team doing most of the work back there. Maybe now they finally get some breathing room?
At the same time, Hulsman (VIN) attacks. Scheirlinckx is right on his wheel. Obviously Accent Jobs has the best cards now. However, their first attempt isn’t successful but they try it again nonetheless.
Nuyens passes Martinez, Engoulvent and Cristobal Riquelme, while a true myriad attacks, led by Vanmarcke, increase the fight. Sagan & Co are still ahead of them though. And then there’s the fight of the big guns. Scheirlinckx is trying for the third time up ahead to get away from the break. The race is all over the place now!
Is this it now? Hulsman gets away and the other riders in the break don’t want to work for Accent Jobs. They refuse and play the tactical waiting game. Of course, they have all the time in the world now.
In fact, they are unbelieveable. Hulsman has 1 minue lead after just 2 kilometers. Sagan and Nuyens are rushing from behind towards them… Are they fucking retarded?! As a result, Sagan and Nuyens reel them back in. It’s now up for Hulsman.
It`s him and he’s clear. 7 kilometers, 2 minutes lead. There are happing some late attacks further back but right now, all’s rather cool. Oh yeah, Cristobal Riquelme is playing the waiting game again as well.
It’s 5 kilometers. Hulsman is upfront, Group Sagan behind him. Chavanel overtakes Cristobal Riquelme here. Attacks by Van Avermaet, Khamphan, Vanmarcke and Stybar get them closer.
All finishing pictures!
Spoiler
Vantomme and the others outsprinting Sagan.
Nuyens is just wasted but managed to get across ahead of Chavanel.
Roelandt's takes away 10th from Cristobal Riquelme. Belkin manager must be pissed off.
In the end, it was of course enough for Kevin Hulsman from Vini Fantini - Selle Italia and he is more than enough time to celebrate his victory. His third attack was finally enough for him to break free. Despite the fact that he didn't work early on when he was riding with the Scheirlinckx and Commeye from Accent-Jobs, he performed later on in the group and showed courage by risking it all. He surely got rewarded today.
Back behind him, the Belgians outsprint Sagan, who did all of the chasing work on the last 10 kilometers. Nuyens came into the finish after the longest time alone in the race, and Roelandts screws Cristobal Riquelme big time by overtaking him in the last turn and taking the 10th place from Belkin. Belkin manager must be furious. Egoi Martinez meanwhile came in 12th, and crossed the line just ahead of Stybar.
Again very good report. Unfortunately, I could not send a stronger squad here..
In other news: No Dunkerque today as my computer crashed with 20km to go and all my notes and screenshots are useless now. I don't have the motivation to start it already again. i will try to find some time tomorrow but don't expect the next stage before saturday or sunday.
@Ollfardh: It was at times a bit stranger, but it was a very exciting race to report I think. Cristobal Riquelme should have done a tiny little bit of work in the finale and the Top 10 would have been Belkin's but he must have waited for Vanmarcke, who wasn't coming.
@knockout: Oget tried his luck later on but he was caught back in the bunch when the split happened and lost quite some ground. It was weird though since Movistar were pacing at the same time.
@Jesleyh: Khampshan followed several attacks and was quite aware as I can tell. 15th is a great result when you come to think of the fact that the BOTD got most of the Top 10 rankings.
Edited by Shonak on 03-04-2014 21:03
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Nice to hear that some Movistar rider actually tried something. Hoped for Amador to attack at some point but obviously he wasnt in the position to do so
Ollfardh wrote:
I guess we can agree no one's happy with Shonak's report
Poor PCM AI (like we just saw) doesn't deserve the great reports from Shonak.
As Shonak is both reliable and 'full on' with the reports it would be great if he would do them here more often ... HOWEVER, based on the cobbled classics I think RadioShack are jinxed by Shonak so I am not sure!
Big fail by Omega Pharma today, barely showing themselves and failing to control the race!
Too bad the AI sucks, otherwise Sagan had a huge chance at winning here. Even getting outsprinted by 3 crap riders. Luckily I did not have a goal here.
So yeah, see you in court.
