It’s the decisive day. 186 flat kilometers and there’s everything to play for. Three intermediate sprints means that one rider could possibly take 38 bonus seconds, meaning pretty much anyone can still win the race. Though, it’s expected that the sprinters gets another chance at a stage win.
GC leader Lo Cicero
is obviously one of the stage favourites. So far he has two second places and one third place. Closest in GC are Napoolitano +4 Vantomme +12 Haussler +12 Avelino + 12
It’s another beautiful day for cycling in Benelux as the riders get things rolling in Hoogerheide. Yesterday’s wind didn’t affect the race, and it’s unlikely to affect the race today as well, as there’s literally no wind at all.
The very first attack of the day is successful, and the breakaway consists of seven riders. They’re: Jacobs Vanbilsen Vitoria Sambris Bormatenkov Thire Drapac
Interesting to see Oz send their best sprinter in the breakaway, but it’s probably a clever tactic, as it’s unlikely he’ll grab a top ten placing in the final sprint, as the three previous stages have shown.
16 kilometers are raced, and their gap is already four minutes.
Drapac
dominates the first sprint, winning it in style. Vitoria Sambris
also gain bonus seconds.
PFG-Armavia
gives the breakaway some space, as the gap grows to 6’30 with 140 kilometers left.
30 kilometers later, and the peloton has started to cut the gap, eventhough there’s still 110 kilometers left. The seven attackers co-operates well, but the gap is down to 5’55.
There’s no question at all about PFG-Armavia’s will to chase down today’s breakaway. 84 kilometers left and they’re chasing 3’50 behind.
Drapac
continues to dominate today’s intermediate sprint on the second one, as he wins it comfortably. Vitoria Vanbilsen
follow for the minor points.
21 kilometers from the finish line it’s time for the third intermediate sprint, meaning it’s also time for Drapac's
third win of the day. Vitoria
was the only one who tried to challenge him this time, as the breakaway has also splitted. Thire Jacobs
are in addition to the two already mentioned the only riders left in front. Their gap is 1’05.
14 kilometers left, and the gap isn’t coming down! Eventhough the peloton is stretched, they’re clearly not riding at their maximum, as the gap to the four front runners is still 1’05.
Just as the riders passes below the ten kilometers banner, it’s a crash in the peloton! Prio-Porto immediately sends their whole team down, yes, it’s Avelino
who has taken a tumble. Kip
was also involved, now he can only hope the Portuguese team pull them back.
Baugnies
was also involved, and all his team mates except Van der Lijke have dropped to help him. It’s fair to say that this hasn’t been the race Baugnies hoped for, the weather conditions have simply been to kind for the riders according to his taste!
Carlos Manarelli
abandons due to the crash. That’s one valuable lead out man gone.
At the front of the peloton the racing must go on, and it’s Rothaus-Aegon AirBaltic-Endura
pulling for glory. They’ve caught the breakaway, as there’s only seven kilometers left.
3500 meters left, and the trains have finally emerged. On the right you see Van Heerden Cucnotta Vantomme Roelandts Napolitano Drujon
with also the so far invisible Hoffman
trying to jump on the train.
On the left AirBaltic has formed something similar to yesterday. Will Docker have what it takes today? It’s Briggs Docker Cavendish Lo Cicero Di Nucci
2500 meters to go, and it’s a drag race between Briggs Van Heerden
And it seems like Briggs is the strongest, getting that tiny advantage.
The drag racing horses pull aside 1500 meters from the line, and Briggs
makes a very tactical maneuver, blocking
Vantomme’s train in the process.
This is looking exceptionally good for Cavendish
Will he finally get that stage win, on the very last day?
Lo Cicero
looks to be the only one who can deny him.
As the riders comes out of a short, short tunnel 1000 meters from the line, it’s still Docker
at the front!
It’s Cucinotta
sprinting at the left, while it seems like Vantomme
decided the rear wheel of Lo Cicero
was his best option.
Cavendish
has waited dangerously long to launch his sprint! It reminds a bit about Napolitano’s failure on the first stage. He finally goes with 500 meters to the line, but he can’t immediately accelerate, and the riders behind, especially Hoffman
comes flying!
Docker is also still a bike length ahead of his captain!
But Cavendish
finds his legs 300 meters from the line. Just in time! He flies past Docker, who’s still going sensationally strong.
Lo Cicero
knows a podium will secure his overall win, and he seems to be doing just that.
Vantomme Hoffman
might be the fastest right now, but they’re running out of road!
Cavendish
takes it! In the end, he timed his move to perfection, and gets a huge stage win and also 20 bonus seconds which will take him high in the general classification.
Lo Cicero
secures his overall win with his third second place and his fourth podium in this race! Sensational stability from the unstable Italian.
Vantomme
rounds of the podium at the stage, while Hoffman
must be pleased with fourth.
Getting those final top 10 places are: Napolitano Roelandts Docker Haussler Serebriakov Drujon
But the stage belongs to King Cav!
Avelino Kip
missed the chance for a good stage and overall result due to the crash. They roll over the finishing line about four minutes later.
Lo Cicero
can celebrate a brilliant overall win. His consistency proved key, and with three second places and one third, you must say he’s a deserved winner. It’s also worth to note Napolitano missed the overall podium on a stage placing count, as he and Vantomme had picked up the same amount of bonus seconds. Vantomme takes third with 13 as the sum of his stage placings, while Napolitano ends fourth with his sum of 14 counting stage placings.
