The clouds hang over Sweden as the peloton rides out of the start. The 2013 Boras Runt is underway and as the profile is a flat one, expect a mass sprint when we cross the line later today. The names being mentioned as pre-race favorites look to be Maksimov, Abakoumov and Dekkers.
Before the sprinters can battle out the win though, we have 166 kilometers to get out of the way. Who knows, an attack could succeed to spoil the sprinters’ party. That is surely what Mager wants as he attacks from kilometer 0, in the hope of getting into today’s break.
Lindau, Taubel, Vassdal and Bratashcuk all jump across to the German rider after he established a bit of a gap. It remains to be seen whether the group will be let go though, with Privatbank keeping the pace high at the head of the bunch for now.
20 kilometers later, the situation is the same. Privatbank and Swedbank are all over the front of the peloton, keeping the gap at around 50 seconds. Surely something has to give soon?
Finally, the quintet pulls away. With 100 kilometers to go they have a 4’30 gap over the bunch where Privatbank are soft-pedaling along on the front.
As the riders go past the halfway mark, the rain starts to come down. Privatbank are now in sole control for Maksimov, and the pace has picked up once again. The gap went up to 5 minutes briefly before dropping once again to 4’30.
With just 50 kilometers left to the finish the gap has gone down to 3’12. The five men seem resigned to getting caught; giving halfhearted turns as the peloton come ever closer. It is looking more and more likely we will have a bunch sprint.
Approaching the final 20 kilometers the break is nearly in sight. The Die Berg squad has moved forward, and with Privatbank look the most likely to form a train.
The gap is at 1’52 as the rider move into the business end of the race. Who will come out on top and win the Boras Runt?
Under the 20 to go banner the break has almost been caught thanks to the high pace of the bunch. It is looking bleak for the five attackers as they only have 55 seconds left to defend.
They won’t give up yet though. They hold onto 20 seconds, and before they can get engulfed Bratashcuk goes on the offensive. Everyone else follows the Ukrainian apart from Mager, who looks exhausted.
Only 8 kilometers remain now. Mager has been caught, while Klostergaard has jumped across to a group of three attackers. Bratashcuk has run out of steam and is in the middle of the gap which is at about 25 seconds.
Ansons is pulling hard to catch them, with Die Berg having a train ready to be launched behind him. Chavanel is in front of Duque and Abakoumov.
Klostergaard attacks once again with 6500m left. He has already dropped Taubel and Vassal, while Lindau is struggling to stay attached to the Danish champion who is flying down this short descent. The gap has gone out to 31 seconds, could he upset the sprinters?
Under the 5000m banner he is the only attacker remaining. The Dane has just 28 seconds, which shouldn’t be enough to upset the sprinters. He can try though!
The gap is staying at around 30 seconds though! The Die Berg train is pulling hard, but they are struggling to catch Klostergaard.
They could be fighting for second, but that is still a good placing. Ostergaard is in front of Abakoumov with Maksimov and Westling immediately behind.
Only 2000m remains for the Dane. He must be suffering as the gap has dropped to 25 seconds. It’s going to be close!
Back in the peloton the first sprinters have started to go. Duque and Jorgensen are the two riders to sprint so far, while the others seem to be waiting for the final kilometer to arrive. By then however, it could be too late.
Klostergaard is under the flammage rouge, and it is looking better for him every passing meter.
The sprinters are coming incredibly fast and are only 15 seconds behind. Klostergaard is just about holding on however and has to be the favorite from here.
500m to go and the lone attacker has nearly been reeled in! Duque is leading the charge and is closing the gap, while Jorgensen and Abakoumov are a bit further back. Maksimov has not even launched his sprint at this stage, which could cost him a high position!
Klostergaard finally gets caught just 350m to the line. That is incredibly unfortunate for him; he has just missed out on a great solo win.
Jorgensen has ridden himself into the lead after Duque faded slightly. Risa’s leader must be the favorite to take this!
Maksimov has gone now and is coming through fast, as is Westling. It is very close between the first few positions and it is still all to play for.
Jorgensen! He takes the win after a long sprint, catching attacker Klostergaard only in the final few meters. A great win from him which is a surprise one.
Westling powers through to take second for Swedbank, but they surely would have preferred the win. After him many riders fan across the road, with Maksimov just getting a podium for his teams’ work, which is deserved.
Enger then makes it a 1-4 for Risa which will, get them lots of points. After he comes in, Gavazzi just comes in after to get a top 5 for Eskpla after a late charge.
After them two Dekkers, Abakoumov, Hushovd, Hansen and Day finish. They round out the top 10 in that order.
It was so close at the end there for the final few positions, a few centimeters was the difference between a top 5 and finishing outside the top 10. Positioning and timing really matters on a day like this.
Also a special mention goes to ANC-Halfords, the only team today to not get a top 10. They will have to settle for fourteenth, which Bahati got.
