It is an overcast day as the peloton rolls over the startline. This can only mean one thing: The GP Onda-Boavista can get underway.
The main pre-race favorite is Gazelle leader Weening, who looks like the man to beat on hilly terrain this year. Mehr-Wenige, Sánchez Gonzalez and Barrio will all be hoping that he has a bad day, so they can profit.
In the opening few kilometers, the attacks begin. Lampaerts, Pirazzi, Mannion and Martins are the first to try to get away.
FCB set up a chase for a couple of kilometers, before letting the group of four pull away. With 110 kilometers left, the group’s gap has gone out to 3’38.
15 kilometers later, Adira decide that a gap of 4’35 is enough, and raise the pace on the front. We have been over the biggest hill of the day but the pace was low so no damage has been done yet.
The gap stays that way at the halfway point, staying in and around four and a half minutes. The quartet up front is working well together but must know that their time is limited off the front.
Iberia decides that they want to increace the pace in the form of Chacon, for Sánchez Gonzalez. He immediately brings the four attackers back to 3’25 after a sharp burst on the fifth of seven recognized climbs.
The racing should start to get serious now as we approach 50kms to go.
That is exactly what happens next, when Galle and Ilias are the first favourites to attack. They quickly pull out 40” over a bunch reluctant to chase them down immediately.
Over the top of the climb the duo pull out another minute, increasing their lead to two minutes. They are only 1’10” behind the break as Ilias puts in a burst on the front.
2kms later, they make the junction. The gap of three minutes they have pulled out already is scary, and with 45kms left this move cannot be underestimated by the likes of Gazelle, Iberia and Adira.
Those three teams organize a chase, and start to make some time up in the next 10 kilometers. The gap remains at 2’20 as the race gets more serious.
A few riders have been dropped by the bunch thanks to this increase in pace, but none of the main favourites. The peloton is still a rather large 74-man group.
Ilias and Galle decide to set off alone after the other four riders stop contributing to the pacemaking. The two riders have to be a big threat at this stage, with a 2’15 gap. It is still unlikely they can hold out for 30 kilometers though.
They hold their advantage for another few kilometers however, which is bad news for the peloton. If they don’t chase harder soon, these two will be gone! The other four breakaway riders are a further 40” behind, but are going backwards into the bunch’s jaws.
Back in the peloton, CSC has to do all the work with the other main teams stupidly sitting back. Do they know that the race could be slipping away?
With 15 kilometers to go though, the two attackers seem to tire and lose some pace. They instantly lose 30 invaluable seconds and have nearly been caught by the group of four behind. The gap is now only 1’20 so it is back to advantage peloton.
We are now approaching the last two major climbs, with the first of the two being the hardest. That is where the big favourites should make their move.
The peloton brings back the original break on the early slopes of the Santa Justa climb, while Ilias and Galle are nearly caught. With just 11 kilometers left, Sánchez Gonzalez makes his move with an attack.
After he quickly pulls out 30”, Mehr-Wenige decides to go as well, followed by home rider Pires. There is no team on the front of the bunch, so attacking must look quite inviting.
Weening then sets off in pursuit as well, along with Silva, Talabardon and Toribo. Sánchez Gonzalez meanwhile has reached Galle and Ilias and is pulling them over the top of the climb.
The situation on the road over the top of the climb is:
55"
2'10"
27"
28"
1'15"
Sánchez Gonzalez
->
Mehr-Wenige
->
Weening
->
68-man peloton
Ilias
Pires
Silva
Galle
Toribo
Talabardon
Mehr-Wenige has used his descending skills to his advantage and is now part of a four-man lead group. The Weening group has caught Pires, making it two groups contesting the win. The gap between them is 27”.
They join together within the next kilometer forming a 9-man supergroup. Iberia are the only team to have two riders, while Barrio seems to be the only favourite to have missed out. It looks like these nine riders will contest the win on this final climb which carries on for another 3 kilometers.
Behind Minnard, Grau and Kononenko have attacked off the front of the peloton, which has given up completely, but have no chance of catching the front nine so we stay at the front of the race.
With Just 3000m left, nobody has made a move yet. Everyone seems to be waiting for a final sprint, with none of the favourites showing their cards. Mehr-Wenige is keeping the pace high but everyone is still in touch.
Over the top of the climb and the situation is the same. The final kilometer is in sight, so the race will be decided in a sprint. Mehr-Wenige is still on the front, with Weening and Sánchez Gonzalez just behind.
Under the flammage rouge Weening has moved into the lead with some speed. Sánchez Gonzalez is moving through in second, and Mehr-Wenige is in third.
Around the penultimate bend Sánchez Gonzalez has moved into the lead! Weening has lost some speed and is going backwards, and could be overtaken by the riders behind him if he’s not careful.
It is all about Sánchez Gonzalez though going into the final bend! Despite seemingly riding through a barrier, he looks destined to win this. Weening is just about holding second, as is Mehr-Wenige in third. Ilias is in fourth with home rider Pires impressing in fifth.
The riders cross the finish line, but the finish is not there! They have another 300m to ride!
That doesn’t stop Sánchez Gonzalez though, who takes a great sprint victory! He conserved his energy the best it seems, and found the right wheel.
Weening then takes second ahead of Mehr-Wenige who both started sprinting a bit early. They both still earn a podium though, which is a good points haul for their respective teams.
Talabardon sprints through to get fourth just ahead of Ilias and Pires fifth and sixth.
Silva, Toribo and Galle take positions seven to nine and are the last riders to finish in the front group.
Minnard takes tenth ahead of Grau and Kononenko, who finish outside the top 10. These three missed the main move, but still get decent finishes.
Mugleri and Barrio both finish ahead of the peloton which cruised for the last ten kilometers. Ronimois takes the sprint which only yields him fifteenth place, but it is his fault that he stayed in the sleepy bunch.
In the end, some managers may feel disappointed with the result today, but spare a thought for Credexbank who leave here pointless. The Continental wooden spoon contenders continue their poor season.
