A very unpredictable race lies ahead of us here in Fourmies. While the profile hints that this should be a race for the sprinters, we still have some smaller hills along the route that could make things difficult for the fast guys' teams. A mass sprint is still to be expected, with a certain Belgian being the huge favourite.
Four riders hit the gas immediately once the race gets underway. Two surprises in the likes of Pedersen and Kreder. They must think that their chances in a sprint aren't that good against the top guys. Betancourt and Norwegian champion Kristoff also join the fun.
Lots of teams are unhappy though, and the group is chased by Puma, Nestlé, Wiggle, Wikipedia and Milka. Most likely on request from their respective sprinters. Kocjan meanwhile fancies an attack.
The high pace in the main field eventually shuts down the gaps. No luck for the four early attackers, the Slovenian champion and some other late additions.
Betancourt clearly really wants to make the breakaway today however, and doesn't wait long with the next attack.
This attack proves to be the decisive one, as the day's long break forms from it. Once again some strong sprinters in the group, with Avelino being the most notable one. No belief in his chances from a sprint, clearly.
Peeters
Bozic
Avelino
Betancourt
Richeze
Galdos
Reynes
The group never gets that far away though, and the gap eventually stabilizes at around 5'30, with Nestlé keeping it that way. Wild card team Puma also show themselves to prove that they believe in Bennati's chances.
The gap is down to just over four minutes when the break enters the circuit that makes the final part of the race. Still over 60 km left, but a slim lead for them.
Nestlé meanwhile falls back a bit from the front of the field to force the other sprinters' teams into work as well. Their plan seems to click pretty well, since world champ Van Garderen takes over the pacemaking together with Wiggle and Spyker. Hoffman stays there just in case.
The peloton soon has the escapees in sight. With 17 kilometers left, most of them gives up, but the still aggressive Betancourt goes yet again.
Together with Galdos, he tries to resist just a little bit longer. No chance for them though, as the peloton are on full speed.
At 11,6 kilometers left, the catch is made by Van Garderen, who has done most of the work in the last 50 kilometers. Puma have the strength in numbers, with three riders sitting near the front for Bennati.
Wikipedia still leads five kilometers later, now with Van Garderen leading three team mates, one of which is Goss. Gasparotto has managed to sneak in just in front of the American, while Bennati is just behind.
Chaos! Just as the sprint is about to kick off, Ponzi takes a tumble near the front of the main field. Steurs, Franzoi and Mehr-Wenige are the most notable names down, while only 36 riders make it through.
Perhaps unaware of what just happened behind, Wikipedia continues to set up Goss. No other team challenges the Americans, so all the main sprinters follow their train. The order:
Vangheel
Rollin
Casper
Van Garderen
Gasparotto
Goss
Giling
Bennati
Sieberg
Lavoine
Sobota
Boonen
Hagen
Roelandts
Drapac
Swift
Granjel Cabrera
Ulissi
Bewley
Ballan
Van Stayen
Rowe
Grillo
Vanderbiest
Goss however, makes a somewhat arguable move by leaving his train's slipstream immediately, showing his face in the wind already with three kilometers left. Surely too early, especially when you have several top sprinters on your back wheel.
This early launch gives Bennati, Lavoine, Boonen, Roelandts and Swift a perfect leadout. These create a gap over the rest.
Bennati begins to make his move just as they pass under the Flamme Rouge. Boonen realizes this and starts to prepare an open stretch on the far right side of the road. Still plenty of ground to make up for him though.
Lavoine can't hold the wheel as Bennati shoots clear inside the final kilometer. A tiring Goss meanwhile hinders Boonen a bit.
They approach the final turn with Boonen now past the obstacles, preparing to jump on the right of Lavoine, who's still in second place. Roelandts does the same on the left.
The situation doesn't change much through the final corner, but Bennati adds another little bit of gap between himself and those chasing. They're running out of road to catch him!
As expected, there's already too much of a gap. Bennati therefore can celebrate a very prestigious victory, while he also proves that he can match the PT sprinters. Surely Puma's management must be satisfied with this result!
Boonen wins the battle for second place, while Roelandts also comes around Lavoine in the very last meters to steal the last spot on the podium. A rather anonymous Swift grabs fifth.
Goss shows strength by holding off the rest of the sprinters for sixth place. Perhaps he could've been a serious contender today if he had actually used his leadout rather than doing everything by himself. Bewley, Rowe, Vanderbiest and Ulissi fill the rest of the Top 10.
