Welcome to the second race of this Crit Series. It`s the first hilly rated but ends with a flat and could possibly see another sprint finish of a reduced group.
Talbott (Chipotle) and Becerra (EPM) are having a 41s gap ahead of the first of five climbs.
The climb starts with a very tough first half, becomes a bit flat and goes up again for an easier second half. The slopes are not extreme but surely hard enough for some riders if the favourites accelerate.
Going uphill we have more attackers.
Britton, English, Bolivar and Zurita all want to join them.
These last attacks brought everything together again and now it`s Bolivar again giving it another try. We are on the flat in between the first two climbs right now and still all riders are in the group.
No Bolivar in this group now.
It`s yesterdays almost winner Sparling together with Talbott and English. The trio is 1'10 ahead and it`s looking better than before.
But once again the highest slopes invite more riders to attack. Will it last this time or is everything coming together again?
Chaves, Raabe, Mora and Craddock try to close the gap.
The late attackers already have a 1min gap but still 35s behind the leading trio. So obviously the attack was successful at the moment and David Boily wants to be in there as well. He attacks with 23km left with 2 laps to go.
Sram, Coldeportes and Pendleton`s are doing the main work now.
Duggan already proved his strength, McEvoy is one of the best puncheurs and can also sprint while Coldeportes probably go for Tamayo Martinez.
We are still on the second last climb but the top favourite seems to feel well.
Pendleton`s McEvoy attacks with 17km to go, when the leading 7 have a 1'19 gap.
54s for the lead after the descent. It`s not looking good for them as Duggan also joined McEvoy. Plus more riders behind them did attack.
With 1 lap left we have a new situation as Duggan/McEvoy joined the breakaway. Behind them a group of 7 with more favourites and 1min later the peloton, which obviously gave up already with 4-5 riders missing the jump.
Peloton (52)
Salas
Duggan
Routley
Valencia
McEvoy
Tiernan-Locke
Roman
Mora
Houle
<1'07>
Busche
<26>
Chaves
Besada
Tamayo Martinez
Raabe
Nardin
Craddock
Anthony
Sparling
Talbott
English
McEvoy must feel strong as he just attacked the group and nobody was able to follow. He is having a 27s gap and is almost on top.
Also Duggan created a gap with Mora a bit behind. Then we already have the other group of favourites including Chaves. The other former breakaway riders are behind them ahead of the peloton.
Duggan is an excellent descender. One of the best probably and he uses this advantage to jump quickly to the Brit. They are 33s in front now and only 5km to go.
3km left and we have a trio in front as Nardin also found contact. This proves that the descenders have a huge advantage here when taking risks. The Brasilian is a decent sprinter as well but also used most of his energy lately. On the other hand he is the only rider in the first groups, who did score yesterday and so he must be watched carefully.
With 2,3km left the two EPM riders Valencia and Chaves start the sprint first. There is still a gap to the leading riders, who still wait a bit.
Duggan as weakest sprinter in a bad position. He perfectly leads out McEvoy, while Nardin starts to fall back.
Nardin won`t win today. Neither will Duggan as McEvoy goes around him with a powerful acceleration.
And he takes the win for Pendleton`s. Great sprint by him but also Duggan with another good crit performance keeps his chances to win the GC.
Nardin still finished 3rd and is a hot contender now of course, when he keeps scoring.
Tamayo Martinez finishes 4th ahead of Busche, Mora, Salas, Valencia and Roman. Jessy Anthony and Chaves also in this group but without points today.
Jonathan McEvoy
Timothy Duggan
Thiago Duarte Nardin
Juan Sebastian Tamayo Martinez
Juan Mora
Sebastian Salas
Marco Guillén
