Not a lot happened early on, but with about 50km to go, 5 riders edged clear of the peloton - Frank Schleck with teammate Clesen, Kim Kirchen with teammate Thill and Andy Schleck.
Clesen fell off the pace, and so did Thill when Kirchen attacked with 26km to go
Kirchen then had a fine view as both Schlecks left him behind
No brotherly love though as Frank moves into the lead
Kirchen rides back up to Andy Schleck and surprisngly, leaves him behind
And now the pursuit! At one stage its 30 seconds, Kirchen cuts it to 20
But Frank has is under control
And he caps off the season with another hilly win - and a welcome return to the Luxembourg national champions kit
Kirchen is 2nd, Andy Schleck 3rd.
In the race for 4th, 6th Vesuvio riders sat on as Didier and Drucker relayed. Didier therefore ensured it was he who took 4th, but Drucker fell away - leaving Einsle to edge out Gastauer and Claerebout
From the first check, it seems this is a race between 4. TT stat wise, Nick Clesen has 76, Kim Kirchen has 75. But Kirchen is an all-rounder, Clesen doesnt have much else.
Defending champion Kirchen leads Andy Schleck by 2 seconds
6th in the TT Worlds, on a hillier course, Frank Schleck is also at 2 seconds - with teammate Nick Clesen 3 seconds back
The Schlecks fell away a bit as the race went on, although Kim Kirchen did only beat Andy Schleck by 8 seconds at the finish
Is that enough? Nick Clesen has since improved and leads at the 2nd check by 2 seconds. And at the finish, the gap is 11 seconds. Nick Clesen wins!!!
3rd two years ago, 2nd last year. The pure time trialist has completed the pattern.
