The Sprinters are favourites today, with Cavendish, Ciolek and Classic winner Davis top picks, however the long uphill drag to the finish could give the hillier riders a chance, with perhaps the overall favourites playing a card or two. As such whatch out for Gasparotto Impey and defending champ Arashiro
As we hit the first climb of the tour 10 riders are off the front split into two groups, we'll identify them as they go over the top
It's a photo finish over the top as Nishitoni just beats Lund and Gaur, Matthews, Jungels and Mohlmann are just behind, with the peleton pulling back the other 4
Ziegler, Vogt, Tirloni and Renang join the front group, giving Export and Saab 2 men up there. THe gap over the peleton has streatched to 3 minutes
Nshitani and Matthews each win an intermediate sprint, with Gaur and Mohlmann each getting a second. THird placings go to Matthews and Jungels
With 60km Priamo throws in a suicide attack, just for kicks
The break cross the finish line for the first time with 2 minutes of an advantage and 55km to go
Proximus are making sure it all comes together for Cavendish
45km to go and Priamo tags onto the back of the break, who are now just 95 seconds clear
28km to go and the break cross the finish line for the penultimate time, the crowd is starting to swell and we look set for a sprint finish.
Matthews isn't giving up and he digs deep in front of his home crowd. With 15km to go he has pushed the gap back over a minute to 1'17". Jungels and Vogt are just 10 seconds behind him though
Hollister are flying at the front of the peleton with the speed touching 60km an hour, everyone is hurting now
10km to go and Matthews is still going strong, although Hollister have the gap back to 48 seconds
7km to go and with Matthews dangling Holister has put Davis in the box seat. The other sprinters are all there, but seem to be without team mates
5km to go and it appears Hollister have burnt their helpers as well, Brandle moves up on the right, while Matthews is still just off the front
2.8 km to go and no team mates means Matthews has pushed out the gap to 30 seconds, the Australian flag on his jersey is driving the locals wild and you can see him digging deeper into himself every pedal stroke
Hollister are back though and Dempster kicks off the sprint. Davis, Cavendish Ciolek and Mariangeli are on his wheel
2km to go and Davis pokes his nose into the wind. Matthews is still giving it absolutely everything just in front. Cooke and Drujon have tucked in behind Mariangeli
Agony for Matthews as he gets passed within sight of the line
1km to go and still Davis leads, Mariangeli is trying a move round the inside of the corner
We're getting news of a crash in the peleton, but there is no time to look as Mariangeli pulls along side Cavendish who finally starts to accelerate
Impey has come from nowhere down the left, as Ciolek comes past Cavendish who has managed to get boxxed in, Davis is still just holding off Mariangeli
It's so tight at the finish can Davis secure a home victory
Yes, back to back victoried for the Aussie, Mariangeli just takes second over Ciolek, with Impey beating Cavendish to 4th
Behind it's the Spanish champ Gil who has lost time, as well as De Maar, while Wyss had to withdraw
Results:
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