A totally flat stage to start the 3rd week. So far no sprinter was able to win two stages here. But with Greipel, Serebriakov, Mezgec, Castaneda and Santos taking one win each, it`s becoming harder. These 5 are the obvious top favourites.
To continue the 1-win series other riders need to step up such as Farrar, Manan, Haidar Anuawar or Chicchi to name a few.
The chances aren`t the highest on a stage like this. But nevertheless 6 riders try it in the daily breakaway. Zaballa Rollin Bush Kinoshita Schelling Van Ooijen
Only sprint of the day but obviously no one is interested.
Zaballa, Rollin and Bush.
90km and with 6min the sprinter teams accelerate behind. They want the sprint finish and have to work for it now.
Not a big surprise that the gap melted with every kilometer.
And so they are caught with a bit more than 6km to go. It wasn`t meant to be today.
2 trains even though the Hollister train looks more popular. It also looks stronger as Sieberg is leaving the train now while Hollister has one rider more.
Sieberg
Marentes
Zabel
Aguilar
Castaneda
Serebriakov
Eefting
Greipel
Mezgec
Farrar
Haidar Anuawar
Salleh
Manan
Vesely
Popov
Santos
Hollister is now coming strong on the left while Zabel can`t match them.
Everyhing behind Salleh though decided to change over to the Volkswagen train to be further in front.
Perfect leadout by Hollister as Serebriakov did not even have to be in the wind yet. Behind him Greipel and Mezgec in an excellent position.
On the left we see Santos again with a long sprint. Just like yesterday actually.
Mezgec in front. Behind him Santos with another huge sprint. Also Chicchi is there with Serebriakov on the other side.
But Mezgec brings it home and is the first sprinter taking another stage.
Great success for him and a perfect way to commend himself before the new season, where he most likely will be a free agent.
Serebriakov can`t complete his team`s great work and finishes "only" 2nd. Same counts for him obviously.
Surprising 3rd today but he became stronger in the last sprints and the team success might have strengthen him as well: Chicchi. Well done.
Farrar and Castaneda come next and surely have hoped for a bit more on this stage.
