Earlier in the month we saw a big battle of the punchaers in Philedelphia, we are not so far down the road today in Washington DC for the sprinters classic sponsored by the US Air Force. The lovely Air Force Cycling Classic has attracted a top field to contest for the Crystal Trophy – the favourites are listed as Eric Mohs (Pokerstars), Van Heerden (Pendletons) and Ciolek (LEGO).
We have 5 20km circuits to negoitiate and some of the parcours will be exposed to a strong wind that could effect todays outcome. After many early attacks a decent group of riders makes it out there as our break of the day.
Six riders go out on a adventure
The names:
Ladagnous (Pendletons), Kristoff (UBS), Balloni (Vespa), Radochla (Lego), Howard (Milka) and Sabatini (Telenor).
Five of these riders are pretty decent sprinters so it is a good little move and the distance and conditions are not dissimilar to those that we had in the Cape Argus Cycle Tour. A breakaway made it that day with three circuits left (60km) though the lead is at 4.49. But no one really seems to be able to stick the pacemaking in the peleton and over the next circuit the chase does not get organised. By the next check with two circuits left (40km) the lead is 6.26.
One of these six could take home the trophy
But in the windy conditions it may be tough for the six, Mercedes and Pokerstars team managers have the proverbial whip out. Their domestiques are piling on the pace at the front and are dropping weaker riders from out the back.
Infernal pace set by two teams of top sprinters
But it seems too little too late as they cross the finish line for the penultimate time the gap is 5.48 with 20km to go.
Six riders getting stretched with 20km to go
The chase behind is now gone as several riders are trying to get away from the pack to register a 7th place.
Weiss (Mercedes) breaks away
Albert (Ikea), Fiellu (Petronas), Lequatre (LEGO) and Nordhaug (Telenor) go with this move by the Mercedes man. The peleton splinters more as another attack goes away.
Four more riders try to break away
Ghyllebert (Mercedes), Vanspreybrouk (Ikea), Laloutte (Petronas) and Sinelobov (UBS) get up the road. These attacks have reduced the gap to the front group, but with 10km to go it is still nearly four minutes. The break is starting to look around, all six are still together.
Will they leave it for a sprint?
The only rider who is not a sprinter decides to muster all his strength and make a move.
Ballioni goes solo at the front
Behind, Pokerstars have reeled in all the attackers the last man out there is Fiellu the last man caught. But there is no way they are pulling it back with 5km to go it is still over 3 minutes.
Fiellu reeled back by the peleton but they will not reeling anyone else back
Ballioni has produced a good attack, he is putting everything into this, as ever behind the chase is cautious no-one wants to give anyone else an advantage. He has 30 seconds with 5000m left...
Goodness gracious great ballioni is on fire
It is a great ride from the Vespa man, he still has 22 seconds with 2200m left, the rider behind are leaving it late but they are gaining as the sprint starts.
Is the Vespa man’s gap enough
It is UBS Kristoff who is making the headway and he is pulling them all back together.
One of the other five then
Sabatini comes around Kristoff on his left and Ladagnous is going round to the right (and no they are not doing the time warp!)
Kristoff has hit the front too early
It is between the Telenor and Pendletons man – Italy vs France (no headbutting allowed)
Sabatini vs Ladagnous
It is the Italian who wins it.
Second flat classic win for Telenor from a breakaway!
Behind Pokerstars, who left the chase way too late, are dominating the sprint as they have dominated the crit sprints.
Pokerstars have missed the big payout
Eric Mohs grabs a consolation prize of 7th ahead of teammate Dumoulin and Haedo.
