Welcome to Hel van Het Mergelland, which is quite a tricky race to judge. Hills throughout until a flat run in to the line, with an overall hilly rating. Pressure is on the puncheurs to really gap the field when they can, because the finish may not suit them. Favourites for the race are:
Ben Nasser
Claeys
Gautier
Mori
Rabon
Vanendert
Wyss
Kolobnev
But if it comes down to a larger sprint, then two riders certainly in with a shout are:
Breschel
Haussler
Many of the teams of the top continental Dutch riders are here, but their Dutch stars are surprisingly missing. So the best home nation threats are likely to be:
Eltink
Langeveld, Veelers, Traksel, Dekkers
After the early aggression, a break of 7 forms.
Lequatre
Veelers
Ovechkin
Gatto
Pronk
Walsleben
Opie
Joined by
Puccio
Locatelli
Van Heerden
The strongest in the break is Ovechkin, but should the breakaway succeed, and come to the finish together then clearly the dangermen are Gatto and Veelers - while Van Heerden and Opie could also figure in a sprint.
With 65km to go, they lead by 5 minutes. Representing D2 wildcards - and division leaders - Het Nieuwsblad - Herve decides this gap is easily crossable.
And it is, albeit after a 25km solo effort.
By this time, the lead of the break is down to 3 minutes. And realising that there arent many hills left, Cherel attacks.
This kicks off the action, and it is attacks galore!
Claeys
Vanendert
Ben Nasser
Kolobnev
Wyss
Rabon
Eltink
Mori
Rovny
Gautier
Bosisio
Vantornout
The breakaway is quickly, caught, to create a 24 man supergroup.
Claeys, Lequatre, Locatelli, Rabon, Vantornout
Gautier, Vanendert
Opie
Herve
Veelers
Ben Nasser
Cherel, Mori
Van Heerden
Eltink, Pronk, Wyss
Walsleben
Puccio
Bosisio, Gatto
Kolobnev, Ovechkin, Rovny
All teams are here - apart from Cerne. And while they get a little bit of help from Trilux, Vespa and Koppert, the outcome is clear. The winning move has gone, and the identity of the riders filling the first 24 positions is now known.
This is great news for the breakaway, who can sit back now and may still stand a chance - especially great for Gatto and Veelers, who can hold tight for a sprint finish now, and not have to worry about using up energy to hold off the peloton.
Of course, the hills being over does not mean the attacks end, with 27km still to ride. First to go is Herve, unafraid of riding amongst the bigger teams.
Gautier, Ben Nasser, Bosisio and Wyss follow, and soon we are back to 24 with other attacks coming in.
Next up is Cherel
Then go Mori, Vanendert, Wyss and Ben Nasser - and the 5 gain a 20 second gap
Thats gone just 2km later, as Eltink now tries a move
Meanwhile in the peloton, a touch of wheels in the rain sees a crash. Vansummeren is the biggest name, but all he misses out on is the battle for 25th.
Back to the front and no move has stuck. A sprint appears likely and riding at the front are the Jayco Red Bull, Proximus and Bpost representations in the group
Its still JRB on the front as the sprint begins. Cherel leads the way
The order is:
Cherel
Vanendert
Gatto
Walsleben
Herve
Puccio
Rabon
Bosisio
Gautier
Vantornout
Ben Nasser
Mori
Van Heerden
Kolobnev
Veelers
Claeys
Opie
Wyss
Eltink
Rovny
Pronk
Lequatre
Ovechkin
Locatelli
The strongest sprinter in here is Gatto, and immediately he hits the front
Vanendert and Herve also make their move past Cherel, but Gatto is flying!
Into the final kilometre and Gatto leads. Herve is currently clear in 2nd - what a shock that would be - with Vanendert 3rd, but its all bunching up behind as they all prepare to unleash their full sprints - Van Heerden now looming on Vanendert's shoulder with Mori to the right of the South African
Gatto is confident enough to stop sprinting but as the road briefly rises up at 3% it is Mori who puts his foot down behind. Herve and Vanendert are swallowed up as Van Heerden and Kolobnev follow Mori, and we have Rabon launching his move on the other side of the road, along with Rovny.
The circuited finish brings a Cerne rider into the mix - he is still 20 minutes away from finishing - but for the rest the finish is in sight.
Gatto leads but not sprinting could cost him as Mori closes in. Rabon is moving past Van Heerden into 3rd with Kolobnev, Gautier and Rovny all close
Gatto
Mori
Van Heerden
Rabon
Kolobnev
Gautier
Rovny
Veelers
Herve
Ben Nasser
Claeys
Vanendert
Opie
Bosisio
Eltink
Wyss
Lequatre
Gatto's lead is decreasing, as he can see as he checks over his shoulder
But he knows he has done enough. Oscar Gatto wins the 2012 Hel van Het Mergelland!
Rabon kicks past Mori to take 2nd, and in a tight battle for 4th, Gautier takes it from Kolobnev, a fast finishing Claeys, Ben Nasser and Rovny.
Veelers and Van Heerden round out the Top 10 - like Gatto, not riders that would necesarilly have been expected to make the Top 10 today.
The Saab duo Wyss and Eltink are next, not having been brilliantly positioned going into the sprint, then its Lequatre and Opie, with Herve being passed by 13 people in the final kilometre to end 15th. Then it is Bosisio, happily celebrating in the hope that Gatto's win hides a dissapointing result for him.
Vanendert and Cherel learned their lesson of sprinting too soon, with Vantornout inbetween them, and Walsleben rounding out the Top 20, before Pronk, Puccio, Ovechkin and Locatelli - all happy to hold on after a long day of cycling.
This leaves 25th place - and 1 ranking point - for the peloton to contest. Haussler leads the way with 1.6km to go
