Today is the last round of the "regular season" Criterium series, as the final roster for the finals in Paris will be decided here in Belgium. A hilly and cobblestoned course awaits the riders, with our favorites being Kluge of Pokerstars and the Telenor pair of Østergaard and Guldhammer. So here we go...
It is, however, a clear day, not always guaranteed in the Low Countries.
And we get an early attack, from Balloni of Vespa, with fellow Italian Girardi of Intesa following.
Next comes Benaudeau, who was hovering off the front during the first attack, but now makes his own move.
And now all the rest of the teams get into the action.
In the move: Shmalko of Tinkoff, Haavardsholm of Telenor, Camier of Carmeuse, Hirchlein of Milka, Martino of Yamaha, Sebright of Wikipedia, and Finning of Highroad. By far the most interesting move is that of Haavardsholm. By sending him up the road, Telenor is making clear they consider Kluge to be the main favorite, and declaring Pokerstars the team that must do all the work.
All the attacks form up into a 10-man group eventually (it does take a while). 51km to go, 1'42" gap to the pack.
And shortly after that picture is taken, Gauer of Yamaha tries to bridge.
Shortly after he successfully reaches the front group, Eeckhout of Wikipedia tries the same trick.
He also easily makes the junction, and shows off his cobbled prowess (compared to everyone else in the break) by easily riding off the front. They do, however, catch him on the way back up the climb.
However, Pokerstars and the pack have now woken up, and a sudden increase in the pace causes a split!
All the Pokerstars riders have made the split, as have three EL AL riders (I swear, I'm as shocked as you), a Telenor contingent (although Guldhammer has missed the split), and a few Highroad riders. 31.5km to go.
And now, with 23 km to go, the race opens up for good, as Østergaard takes a flyer off the front of the group.
He rides away unanswered, and flies past the break as well.
Shortly after, Pokerstars catches the break, forming a 24-man group. Kluge is sitting in behind his teammates, clearly counting on them to bring back the Dane.
But with 10km to go, they appear to be losing the fight! Østergaard still has a 43" gap.
With 7.2km to go it looks over, and Ruijgh, one of the Highroad riders to make the split, has attacked, clearly gunning for second.
But what is this! Just over 2km later, with 5km to go, the Dutchman has caught Østergaard. And that isn't the end of it, Kluge has attacked, is only 16" back, and is coming on fast.
And, using the cobblestones as a launch pad, Kluge goes roaring on past.
And he takes, not surprisingly, the easy victory.
Pokerstars has been hands down the best team this year, and this race proved it, with smart tactics and strong riding leading to a brilliant victory.
Meanwhile, behind, Østergaard, who clearly was tired when caught by Kluge and Ruijgh, tried to dig back up to Kluge, and when that failed, clearly didn't have enough to beat the Highroad rider. With just under 1 km to go, Ruijgh has pulled ahead.
And easily holds on.
A little farther back, Eeckhout of Wikipedia picks up some points for his team by leading in the chase group.
