174kms of racing with scattered rain showers but weathermen are
predicting a dry run in towards the finish, but what do they know?
Air Kenya guides us through the first half of the opening climb without any attacks. Looks like everyone is just trying to survive and get over the hills.
At a max of 10.8% incline the peloton is willing to tap out a slow and
easy tempo. Many are starting to question if a mutual agreement
was made before the race.
Just when the peloton thought they would have a nice easy ride while
reading off sprinter's names on the climb, a light rain started to develop.
Which quickly turns into a down pour. As the roads collect water the riders soon realize they have a trick descend coming in a few kilometers...
Quick dry off, a tunnel!
Just before we reach the highest altitude for today's race, we are treated to the first brave soles willing to test the rain and the sprinters. Chevrier (Die Berg Komt Er) Venter (Gazelle) Vinhas (Prio-Porto)
As they reach the top they quickly pull out a 1'24" advantage.
The rain finally gives way with 113kms to go. By that time the breakaway has continued to pull away, and is now up 4 minutes.
The peloton controlled by the two CT Spanish teams of Iberia and Barcelona along with Air Kenya doing all of the pace-making.
The breakaway is allowed a maximum of 5'30" before the tempo starts
to increase as the peloton have returned to flatter roads.
Just when the riders had started to dry off the rain returns for a second appearance with 46kms to go.
Back up front the breakaway has now went under the 20kms to go banner. However the peloton is lurking just 1'32" behind, it doesn't look good for them at all.
Infighting within the breakaway starts with 11kms to go, but the race organizers are already trying to pull their car out from the gap. The breakaway efforts look rather useless.
As Chevrier and Venter throw in the towel, PCT rider Vinhas gives the Portuguess fans that crossed the border one last attack.
But as expected he is swallowed up with 6kms to go. Meaning we will get to see the sprint everyone came for.
As we head into town Saulo Lay quickly gets his Iberia boys into position. Behind him is Schinker (Air Kenya), Santos (Prio-Porto), Hochmann (Die Berg), Speirs (Magna), and Abakoumov (Die Berg).
Nobody even wants to challenge Iberia's train. Will Lay take this easily? The Spanish crowd sure hopes so. But surely somebody wants to stop Iberia for the first time this season, right?
Bruno Santos finally makes the first move to disrupt what would have been a very easy victory for Lay.
Lay breaks off of Anton Martin's wheel with 1000 meters to go. While Lay breaks left, Schinker splits off Lay's wheel to the right. Hochmann takes Santos while Abakoumov goes after Schinker. Strange tactics indeed for Die Berg Komt Er by splitting up their sprinters.
They all fan across the road making for a very dramatic finish.
Nico Schinker gets the well deserved victory for Kenya Air after all the work his teammates put in today.
Saulo Lay hangs on for 2nd, Die Berg gets 3rd and 4th with Hochmann and Abakoumov. Irishman Speirs rounds out the top 5.
Santos only receives 6th for his bold move made 1100 meters out.
While 7th on back really should have just formed another sprint train instead of playing follow the leader. Hopefully they will learn their lesson and bring forth better tactics for the rest of the season.
