We start with the Waukesha Carl Zach Cycling Classic. It`s the first of 2 chances for the sprinters.
Several top sprinters are here such as Guillen, Forero, Manarelli or for the American fans Jake Keough.
Somebody very interesting is McEvoy, who could score in the flat and the hilly races. So he might be the top favourite for the GC.
Anthony, Rojas Villegas and Bolivar are the first riders with an attack.
But they were caught again and now we see the next wave.
Brenes, Bolivar, Copeland, Mach, Raabe and Lewis. As seen in former Crits some puncheurs/climbers try their luck in the flat stages.
Chipotle for Keough and EPM for Forero are the two teams, who control the peloton at the moment. They haven`t allowed a big gap yet and so it`s still open with 40s.
Cummings attacks next trying to bridge the gap.
And he immediately overtakes the group and leads solo now.
We almost reached the half but still no one was able to really create a gap.
The sprinter teams obviously don`t want to allow any other outcome than a sprint finish.
Soto Pereira and Rodas want to make it a group of 3. You can see that there is a small uphill section here but most likely not hard enough for the sprinters.
27km to go and everything is back in the peloton. Are we going to see any real breakaway today or can the sprinter teams control it the whole time?
Beyer, Craddock and Cummings again with the next attempt. We are already behind the 20km mark.
But only Craddock was able to stay a bit ahead of the peloton on a small 9s gap.
The winner of the British Crit Series Timothy Duggan shows himself for the first time. Definitely one of the best puncheurs in the peloton and a big favourite once again.
In England he won the first flat criterium, which brought him the win.
He is joined by Canadian Dionne.
Also Sparling decides to attack. And we have something like a gap. 11km left and 24s for them.
Sparling was the strongest. With 6,8km left he is solo in front and still has 43s. This could be enough but he needs to go all-in then.
7-up for Manarelli and Alstrom for Houle are doing the pace. Surprising that the stronger sprinters like Guillen, Forero or Keough stopped their ambitions at the moment.
All the sprinters are on the right. Valencia is leading out Forero with McEvoy, Guillen, Keough, Houle or Manarelli all behind him.
But first they need to catch Sparling, who still has a decent gap.
Valencia is doing an awesome job creating a gap behind Forero and Guillen. It`s looking extremely well for these two while the others need to close the gap at first.
Murphy got afraid and started the sprint at first. while Forero and Guillen behind him are starting with 1100m to go.
Sparling`s gap is down to 12s and it`s not longer looking good for him.
800m and Sparling is caught. Forero in the lead. Guillen with the perfect wheel and Murphy struggling to keep his speed.
Guillen is trying to come around on the last meters. The first two are pretty much secured but in what order?
Brilliant sprint by Forero. Valencia`s great effort brought him a good position and he finished in a great way staying ahead of Guillen.
Keough comes in as 3rd and first US American.
Manarelli and Houle for the top5 with Opie, Horton, Nardin, Young and Kennaugh completing the top10.
McEvoy wasn`t able to score today but in Nardin another allrounder got some small points, that could become important for him.
Juan Pablo Forero
Marco Guillén
Jake Keough
Carlos Alexandre Manarelli
Hugo Houle
Chris Opie
