Welcome to Germany for the Rund um Bad Harzbug, continuing the 2013 C1 classics. The route is hilly, and therefore should favor the puncheurs. Favourites for the race include stars like Ginanni, Bellis and Flugel.
The first attack of the day comes from Lane. He is looking to make the day's break.
He gets pulled back though relatively quickly. Young-gun Oliver attacks this time.
The young Dutchman is joined by Hasnaoui and Silva. Lund is further behind the trio, trying to bridge across.
They have a gap of 7'20" with half the race completed and 6/12 climbs crossed.
Vespa lead the chase behind, probably for Ginanni. They have brought the group back to within four minutes by the time we get onto the 9th climb, and have caught Lund who never managed to bridge the gap.
With 50kms to go the gap has been closed further to 3 minutes. The three men can work all they like, but the peloton seems to be too strong. Their catch seems inevitable.
10kms later, on the penultimate climb, the gap has been shortened further to 2'30" thanks to Vespa. The peloton is losing men every minute, with only 65 remaining at this stage.
Suddenly, Der senses an opportunity and launches an attack, despite being just an outsider.
Der moves on and catches Hasnaoui, who has been dropped by the other two attackers. However, by the time he has caught him the break has fallen so far back that he is just 30" ahead of a charging bunch.
The high pace claims some more victims, including Bole, Kump, Gingsjo, Armee and De Maar.
Nearing the final climb these riders look to be out of contention as the bunch disappears into the distance.
The break is caught at the bottom of the 12 and final ascent of the climb. Vespa are still in control as Dowsett sees an opportunity. He attacks away, the first of the big favourites to do so!
Sensing danger, Ginanni follows in the footsteps of his team and starts setting a harsh pace on the front. The bunch is now down to just 41 bodies, with only the strongest riders remaining.
Dowsett gets caught on a short mid-climb descent, after never getting more than a 25" advantage. Hoogerland tries an attack this time, as the road starts to kick up again for the second half of the climb.
With 22kms to go, we are no clearer on the destiny of the race.
Hoogerland's attack woke up everyone it seems, and in pursuit seven riders have moved off the front of the bunch. The names are Ginanni, Kolobnev, Efimkin, Mendes, Roche, Der and Sinkewitz.
As they catch Hoogerland, Sinkewitz attacks past him and off the front.
Sinkewitz crests the climb alone. This looks to be a very smart move as the race rips to shreds behind him. He pulls out a 20" advantage over Roche who has sat off alone chasing. The situation on the road:
As the leaders pass some lapped riders, the race is really hotting up. Sinkewitz's gap is ever growing over Roche, who is struggling to shut the gap.
With 15kms left, it stands at 33".
Under 10kms to go, Sinkewitz has moved away further to 45". He must be the favourite to win from here!
Five kilometers later, the gap has gone out to over a minute. Roche looks to have run out of fuel and has been caught by Efimkin, who is pushing hard. It may be too late though.
The home crowd cheers Sinkewitz under the flammage rouge, poised to take a home victory.
Sinkewitz wins! A great ride from Vueling's leader, taking a dominant home solo victory.
Efimkin sprints to second ahead of an exausted Roche. He claims third as a reward for his efforts.
Ginanni and Hoogerland are the next duo of riders to come in. They round out the top-5.
Next to cross the line in 6th and 7th are Mendes and Der respectively. A great result for outsider Der, who is duly rewarded for starting the attacks with a top-10.
Finally, after Kolobnev and Chavanel, comes the peloton. Barredo takes the bunch sprint, which rounds out the top-10.
