A group of 4 riders attacked at the start of the stage, and thankfully none of them caused a threat to the KoM classification. Lowe was given a chance to attack and take the pressure off chasing.

Pineau (OPQ) and Proni (VIN) tried to join the break, as the escapees approached the KoM sprint.

Orica-GreenEdge took control of the peleton, and kept the gap to the break at a maximum of 3'43 all stage. They clearly saw the lead group as far too dangerous to go all the way to the end.

Approaching the halfway point of the stage, Astana joined in the chase, and soon the gap was tumbling.

The break was brought back with 18km to go, and again it was set for a mass sprint finish.

We took full control in the lead out, but as the sprint approached Accent Jobs began to overpower us, whereas Orica were nowhere to be seen.

Victory on the line goes to Hutarovich (ALM), just beating Napolitano (AJW) and Guarnieri (AST) in the end. Rene would put in a nice sprint to finish 9th.

Rasmus was the first serious TT rider on the course, and he showed what he can do setting the quickest time -- 19'23

Sam Bewley (OGE) was a serious threat to Rasmus, but sadly he was fased before the finish and couldn't topple our Dane -- 19'25

Peter Velits (OPQ) would be the man who would eventually knock Quaade off top spot, finishing the course very well. Could he push Impey close in the fight for GC? -- 19'02

Jack Bobridge (BEL) was having a strong ride, but after a quick start, he too faded towards the end. Velits was still the best time -- 19'08

As we got towards the business end of the GC, a lot of big names hit the course. First, there was Kiryienka (SKY), who fell just short of Velits time -- 19'07

The Sky man was followed by Stef Clement (BEL), who looked unbeatable. He smashed the time of Velits at the first time check, and despite fading off at the end, beat the Slovakian Champion, setting the new best time -- 19'00

When Howson hit the route, Rasmus had slipped to 18th on the stage. Sadly though, the young Australian suffered again against the clock, finishing slower than his teammate. -- 19'25

Fredrik Kessiakoff was the last man who could really challenge Clement for the win. He was up by 3" at the first check point, but like many others, faded at the end and could only finish 7th. -- 19'08

Impey was the last man out on the course, and knew that he could lose up to 40" and still keep the jersey. He would finish slower than Clement, but would lead the GC at the end by 25". Job done for the South African. -- 19'15

*****

A group of 8 attacked off the front of the peleton at the start of the stage. St-Pierre was present for the team, and was in some good company.

RadioShack-Leopard set the early pace on the stage, as the gap to the break increased to over 7 minutes.

Box Hill was a key part of the Olympic Road Race, and again it would play its part this year. The breaks lead over the peleton tumbled on each ascent.

On the run back into London, the peleton was in sight. BMC tried to break the rhythm of the peleton, as Burghart attacked with Oss in his wheel.

The peleton would pull everything back together with 10km to go, and as expected, it would be a bunch sprint to decide the result.

RaphaCondor-JTL looked to steal this away from the big favourites, as Grivell-Mellor tried to attack.

The Rapha man was soon pulled back, but just as the sprint was set to get underway, Thor Hushovd (BMC) made a move for the win. Behind him, the favourites were hunting him down.

Hushovd would be caught with 500 metres to go, as Haedo (CAN) takes the win ahead of Oss (BMC) and Fernandez (GRS). Bellis struggled at the end, with lead out man Simon Yates finishing our best rider in 11th.