It´s the final criterium in Spain and we are on the Formula 1 track of Catalunya. It`s another hilly race, but due to the easier profile the outcome here might be totally different.
Breakaway king Mourey and Possoni share the race lead at the moment.
But many riders are just behind them and can still win the race.
French sprinter Soupe (Alstom) is the first rider to attack in one of those uphill sections.
He is quickly joined by 3 more riders:
Sanz (Espana)
Le Gac (Pearl), winner of the 3rd criterium and
Reis (Onda)
Biggest "surprise": Mourey decided not to join the breakaway today. This might be bad for his GC chances actually.
Well, maybe not. One lap later when the gap is at 1'20 the Frenchman decides to give it yet another try. What have I thought...
Agostini (Cisco) and another sprinter with the Spaniard Cano (Kelme) follow him.
The group around Mourey couldn`t create a gap and so it`s Lasca (Kappa) going for an solo chase to the breakaway.
Still 46km to go and just a 1'30 gap.
Different to the former try, he is successful. With 39km to go he bridged the gap.
The quintett has a 2'41 gap now and the group looks set.
But 3km later the fight of the 2nd tier puncheurs starts as well.
First two riders to try a mid-stage attack are Koretzky (Evian) and Grau (Barcelona).
Joining them are:
Felline (Italy) and
Gil (CSC)
All of them join the group in front with 17km to go and it`s looking a very strong group now.
But the peloton is realizing the danger and is not giving up. The gap is at 1'12 now and melting.
14km to go and the first serious attack by a top puncheur.
Amael Moinard (Alstom) attacks. Theoretically he has still a chance to win the GC by winning todays stage and hoping that no other top contender scores any points. But this is far from realistic, so a stage win is everything he can hope for.
He has no problems to jump to the group as the gap was only 40s at that time.
Not in the camera, but obviously Mendes (Benfica) made a strong move as well as he also joined the breakaway now, while Moinard`s team mate is highering the pace, which seems to be not high enough as the leader is continueing his attack.
Two more riders trying to jump to the front group of already 11 riders!
Sanchez Gonzalez (Iberia) who still fights for the overall and Cousin (France).
Seeing that more and more riders attack out of the peloton, Moinard did not wait and has opened a 35s gap with 10km to go.
Mori (Kappa), Delage (Pearl), Salerno (Cisco) and Barrio (CSC) are all in between the peloton and the front group.
No sign of Possoni yet and also Mourey is struggling it seems.
So the GC might be won by another rider it seems.
Mori (Kappa)
Delage (Pearl)
Salerno (Cisco)
Barrio (CSC)
all make it to the big group of favourites now.
With all teams being included in there now, it seems as if the peloton gave up.
This is very bad news for the riders behind in especially Mourey and Possoni, who give this away on the last day.
Same counts for climber Osella, sprinter Lay, stage winners Eduardo Silva and Aberasturi plus a few others with less realistic chances.
Actually one rider is still trying to join at the moment. It`S Toribio (Iberia), but this won`t change a lot GC wise.
Delage (Pearl) did just join. But he is still feeling fresh enough to attack immediately.
Moinard is still in sight even though his gap is at 41s already with 4km to go.
But the stronger sprinter is not giving up yet. Strong performance by the French here so far.
2,4km and Delage is caught, while the sprint starts.
Last chance to catch Moinard, whose gap is down to 35s.
Samuel Sanchez, Cousin, Delage, Mendes, Soupe and Felline in the first positions in that group.
Delage might have waited for the sprint instead of attacking. So his chances for a high result are gone.
Mendes and Cousin fight for the 2nd? Moinard indeed looks uncatchable.
Sanchez is losing ground but is still ahead of the riders behind.
It`s no Alonso, Schumacher, Vettel or another Formula 1 champion winning here today.
And actually it`s already ~20 years ago since a French won here the last time.
Big win for Amael Moinard and even though he could theoretically win the GC with that 12 points it all depends on the riders finishing behind him.
French double win! Cousin with a strong sprint beats Mendes on the line.
At least Mendes was able to finally show himself here today.
Both had a big gap to the next group and easily got the podium.
Samuel Sanchez was a good bet for the GC win when looking into this group. But is the 4th today enough?
Behind him Soupe, Delage, Mori, Salerno, Barrio and Sanz haven`t scored that much yet and Le Gac as 11th couldn`t finish inside the points today.
The peloton led by Toribio followed 1'36 later and so Mourey and Possoni indeed lose this here.
But who is the winner?
Moinard definitely equals the actual GC lead with 17 points and moves up a lot.
But as the high scorers so far were mainly in the peloton today only Sanchez scored well here to get 19 points in total, which means, we have a Spanish winner here, which is much appreciated by the spectators.
Congrats to him.
Amaël Moinard
Jose Mendes
Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez
Manuele Mori
