*** Favourites ***
Cavendish (OPQ), Kittel (ARG), Goss (OGE)

** Outsiders **
Brookes (BAR), Boonen (OPQ), Nizzolo (RLT), Matthews (OGE), Coquard (EUC)

* Can’t be underestimated *
Petacchi (OPQ), Richeze (LAM), Steegmans (OPQ), Phinney (BMC), Hushovd (BMC), Guido (MTN), Sinkeldam (ARG), Davis (OGE)

A diverse peloton setting off

In spite of the odds Zakarin, Di Silvestro and Traksel are of right at the start.

Plenty of teams helps keep things closed early on.

It’s Planckaert, Stallaert and Chavanel on the first intermediate sprint. A strong start for Crelan!

Things finally settle down after the sprint and a 12-rider break established. With 55 km to go they have 3’50’’
Chavanel (EUC), Planckaert & Stellaert (CRE), Di Serafino & Rosa (AND), Kreder (VCD), Brutt (KAT), J. Keogh (UHC), Di Corrado (BAR), Kurri (AJW), Mironov (RVL) and Brammeier (CSS).

Crelan not quite as dominating on the second intermediate. Planckaert takes it ahead of Keogh and Brutt.

Gretsch leading the chase with 25 km to go and a gap of 1’30’’

Kurri won’t give up, but with less than a minutes gap and 20 km to go things don’t look too good.

6 km to go and the sprinters can start worrying about their leadouts.

With 3,5 to go we have two distinct trains. Argos for Kittel has the slight edge, while Cavendish has found a spot at the back of the Orica-train.

2,4 and everything is both quit and level. Cavendish has skipped to Kittels wheel while Nizzolo has taken the wheel of Goss.

With 1,5 km to go things suddenly start breaking up in the turn. Matthews leading out Goss in front with Sinkeldam for Kittel and Petacchi blasting towards the front for Cav.

Cavendish doesn’t quite see him coming and the mission fails.

800 m left and these are the ones fighting for the win.

500 m Cavendish is coming fast, but Goss has only just left Matthews' wheel.

200 m it’s Cavendish, Nizzolo, Goss and Kittel coming from behind.

Cavendish does what he does best.