The season is reaching his end and any race is important to the race for promotion. Napolitano is here and so are Vespa's hopes, will he live up to the hype? He's not the only one contender here, as other good sprinters are in the last French race of the season. Wiggle, other team fighting for promotion, has a different tactic: instead of sprinters, Wiggle brought puncheurs who might benefit of those hills along the route.
Right in the beginning of the stage, there are attacks. Nozal is the most known name there and along with are Diggle, Euser, Bonser and Fitrianto.
Nobody counters and the peloton is letting them go, they form the breakaway of the day.
There is lot of green in the head of the peloton! Vespa seems to be the most interested team in controlling the race, but this work might pay off at the end of this long day. There are some Kenda riders relaying too. As a note, Vanderaerden and Forero, two good sprinters are in the front and Gavazzi, other good sprinter, is relaying too.
Santander also decides to help and cookie if you guess who is helping in the chase. You're right, if you picked their main sprinter, Ventoso. It seems that Del Nero is the man to watch of the Spanish team.
Things don't look bright for the breakaway. The peloton is chasing hard and the gap is just 5 minutes with 100km to ride.
Kvist attacks from the peloton alone at 80km to the finish line.
And he needed 10 kilometers to join with the front riders. The peloton is just at a minute and a half.
Rovny is the next to leave the peloton.
And the Russian greets the early breakaway riders and Kvist and passes them with ease.
With 46km to go, the chasing group is caught by the peloton. Up on the road is only Rovny, by a minute.
In the exact moment that Rovny is caught, Vansummeren, Durán and Nocentini try to escape.
Nobody is able to get a gap though thanks to Vespa's work. Just one more hill left and it seems that a mass sprint will decide the winner of this race.
There is a split in the peloton thanks to side wind and to the past hill. Roche, Bertagnolli and Westling, among others, are in this second group that would never make it back.
21km to go and there are attacks! Del Nero, Vansummeren, Hermans and Boucher try to escape from the peloton.
Hermans and Boucher's acceleration left the other two behind. And the peloton? The peloton, led by Vespa, can't close the gap!
The last hill is passed, 13km to go, and the front duo's advantage to the chasing duo is 35 seconds. The peloton is a further minute behind!
Del Nero and Vansummeren can't close the gap to the front. 30 seconds separate the two groups while the peloton is closing on them! 7km to go!
Amazingly, Molteni is relaying as well as Team NOS. Kenda and Vespa riders are also in front but they seem out of energy.
Kennaugh leads Swift as they hit the last 5 kilometers. Docker and Van Avermaet also are in a good position and Forero leads Vanderaerden, Casper, Napolitano, Galdos and Poulhiès. The front duo is at 45 seconds while the chasing one is at just 20 seconds.
Del Nero and Vansummeren are caught by Kennaugh and Swift while Docker and Van Avermaet are also close. Close like Lowik and De Greef. Forero don't have the enough power and Casper, Napolitano and Galdos seem out of the fight for the victory.
Hermans and Boucher still have an advantage of 24 seconds with less than 3 kilometers left to run.
The gap is becoming shorter inside the last 2 kilometers!
Under the banner, they are caught. Van Avermaet is now in a great position to win, he just needs to leave Docker's wheel.
He doesn't do that! Docker seems to have emptied all of his tank and Boucher is gaining on the NOS' duo. 500 meters to go and he seems to be going for victory but Ben Swift is coming fast!
Boucher is able to hold Swift off and he wins GP d'Isbergues! Docker gets the third place just in front of his teammate, Van Avermaet. Despite a great effort in the end of the stage, Hermans closes the top 5.
