Nasty weather awaits the riders in Belgian for the Gent - Wevelgem, no doubt all eyes will be on Nestle and Tom Boonen
to see whether he can deliver his first victory in four years.
It is an attacking beginning with no less than 15 riders getting clear:
Tyler Butterfield William Germán RodrÃguez Parra Samuel Caldeira Evgeni Popov Arkaitz Durán Viktor Renäng Blel Kadri Juraj Sagan Rafaâ Chtioui Carlos Betancourt Jesse Sergent Davide Appollonio Steven Burke Darwin Atapuma Aggrey Sebright
making the early dash for a bit of camara time.
They didn't really build a sufficient advantage however before the first cobbled section and team of defending champion Alessandro Ballan
control things to such a degree they pull it back together.
We do get a second more established break go away however with a mixture of names from the earlier breakaway such as Atapuma, Appollonio, Duran, Chtioui, Butterfield, Kadri, Betencourt, Sagen, Caldeira and Popov. Joining them is Sam Bennett Daniele Ratto
and Warner Brothers pair Pedro Sibila Romero
and# Diego Gallego
With 100km to go this 14 man break has3.13 on the pack, with the really strong wind slightly dropping the break are beginning to establish themselves. However the first of the two hilly circuits are coming up. This hilly section builds up to the nasty Kemmelberg climb and the peloton hammers over the early climbs. A few decent names get dropped.
Most well known here is likely the sprinter Tyler Farrar
who is distance with teammate Kevin Eeckhout
They struggle to get back on before the first ascent of the Kemmelberg that the break take now.
It is Carmuese who have taken over Sony has the controllers of proceedings for 2010 champion Fabian Cancellara
The Belgian squad really up the ante knowing that the steep sections of this cobbled climb can really bite on an unsuspecting rider and they tear things apart as we descend onto the flat.
It is a testing moment for the teams of Kiwi youngster Sam Bewley
and king of the 'little league' cobblestones Pieter Vanspeybrouck
as they have to chase back.
But get back they do with teams like B and O, Warner Brothers, Cafe de Columbia, Santander, Vesuvio and UBS all missing names in the 58 man peloton now.
All those teams will likely take that as collatarel damage, none really with cobbled ambitions but when on loan Pendletons rider Geraint Thomas
drops back with Belgian champ Philippe Gilbert
you can tell things are getting really decisive.
Still the break are clear for the second ascent of the Kemmelberg with Popov leading things for the on fire team of Pearl Adidas.
The squad in blue have made this a hard run race with utmost confidence in Cancellara, Boonan and Ballan are also in the lead group as they absorb and overtake the break. Also here at the front is
Vanspeybrouck Tom Veelers Marcel Sieberg Nikolas Maes Danny Summerhill
and Enrico Franzoi
But behind for a while is Bewley Marcus Burghardt Geert Steurs Vladimir Gusev
But Burghardt does lead this group back, he is sans his Belgian teammate Gert Steegmans
who is well back with Geriant Thomas.
Gusev and Albert (Bpost) lose touch as the wind picks up. Bpost feeling the pressure suddenly release Vanspeybrouck, who attacks off the front from nowhere.
Is this the career defining moment for the 25 year old who did so well in the CTour last year?
Carmuese and Nestle keep control behind in the chase group of now just 21 riders.
The names Jacobs, Lhotelliere, Cancellara Portal, Boonan Langeveld, Veelers Pozzato, Steurs Sieberg, Rosseler Buagnies, Nooytens Nikolas Maes Danny Summerhill Marcus Burghardt Enrico Franzoi Sam Bewley Alessandro Ballan Stijn Devolder
and startingly Rafaâ Chtioui
from the early breakaway.
Bpost though will begin to get excited about this move as they marquee signing is really making a name for himself on the biggest arena.
More damage ast Nooytens, Devolder, Pozzato and Chtioui drop back the chase group are down to just 17.
However Carmuese and Nestle have protected their leaders well and off they go to reel the young pretender in with just 8km to go.
Cancellara is trying to equal Tommake's acceleration.
Burghardt having dug in earlier is also trying to make a move with Baugnies latched onto his wheel.
Under 5km to go though it is only Boonan and Cancellara who can make contact with Vanspeybrouck.
This is new territory for the young Belgian and he can only watch as the master Tom Boonen pulls further clear. Cancellara can find no more.
Behind Burghardt blows a gasket and Baugnies goes past, however Webeffects cobbled leader cannot make the junction with Cancellara or Vanspeybrouck.
Boonan has that 15 second gap going into the finale, everyone looks on their limit so this could well be enough.
Indeed it is the move to a new team looks to have revitalised the Belgian superstar as he takes his second successive cobbled win. Toour of Flanders and the Hell of the North await!
Vanspeybrouck looks for all the world like the new Flanders star in waiting with an excellent second place. Bpost's season is beginning to take off!
Cancellara takes third, at least it is a podium for Carmuese who worked so hard he will hope to do better in the Monuments. Behind Sam Bewley takes out 4th place his best cobbled finish to date ahead of the tiring Baugnies.
Koppert can celebrate a fine performance taking 6th and 7th through Veelers and Langeveld, Burghardt is 8th, Jacobs 9th and last years winner Ballan 10th.
Steurs is 11th, Franzoi 14th, Summerhill 15th, Gusev 25th and Thomas 31st all disappointing results for their teams.
