A strong Vesuvio squad are lined up to help Frank Schleck retain his blue, white and red national champion's jersey in this hilly race. The other Luxembourgians will probably find it hard to beat Franky, but Kim Kirchen shouldn't be underestimated.
After patrolling the race for a couple of laps, Vesuvio just pace away! Einsle and Gastauer creates a gap on one of the climbs, and brings team leader Schleck and Bob Jungels along as well. Shockingly, no one takes chase!
Jungels has to let go just a little while later, whilst Einsle and Gastauer continues to extend their advantage over the main group. It's up in three minutes after just a lap or so!
Schleck accelerates by himself with 30 km remaining, ending the hard work for his two team mates. Einsle is completely dead and drops immediately.
The Liège-Bastogne-Liège winner just swoops home over the last part of the race to win easily by a comfortable margin. The rest simply aren't on his level at the moment, although that'll change already next season.
Gastauer finds a good solo rhythm after getting dropped and keeps going all the way to a second place at the finish. Over seven minutes back on his team leader, but still a very good performance from the upcoming star.
Kirchen chases very hard over the final few laps, but just misses out on the final spot on the podium to Einsle, who manages to dig deep enough to stay in third place. Vesuvio domination!
Kirchen takes revenge on Schleck in the time trial, by pushing him down from the provisional lead as second-to-last starter. Quite a large lead as well, with only one man standing between him and the victory.
No luck for Kirchen tho, as Nick Clesen keeps his momentum throughout the race to win by just six seconds! Vesuvio cleans it all up in their home country!
