Cobbles in Bulgaria, 76 riders and a few strongmen!
First cobbled section and it is the Bulgarians at the front. They have Geraint Thomas who is one of the top three favourites.
After more than 30 kilometres we got our TV break out on the road. It's Morales, Friedman, Ngue, Predatsch, Papok and Tanovitchii.
In the pack it's BVP, Allianz, ABC and Gazelle leading. ABC and Gazelle have outsiders for the win today here in Østergaard and Vangenechten.
With just under 90 to go and the deficit for the pack at just under 5 minutes, it's ABC's Leonardo Duque that tries to break away. He is a rarity this guy, a Colombian who can ride on cobbles.
About 12 kilometres later he has closed down those 5 minutes using some cobbles to his advantage.
He moves to the front and with 71 kilometres to the advantage is 3'56.
46 to go and only a few kilometres to the penultimate and longest section of the race and the gap is down to 2'56 for the guys in front.
Duque takes to the front here to try and get rid off a few.
It doesn't really work for Duque, and back in the pack the attacks are on. Vangenechten going hard!
31 to go. Vangenechten's attackl failed, but here goes Østergaard!
It doesn't work either for him either. The pace is high though and the pack has been decimated to just 26 riders. Also the deficit to the seven in front is now only 1'25.
16.8 left and it's all together. 33 riders in front with Allianz looking good. You must wonder though why Maes didn't try to go at the long cobbled section? He is not a good sprinter and he needs to get away from the company of Thomas and Steegmans.
14.4 to the finish line and it seems that the decisive break has gone clear. The pack has slowed right down. It's Maes, Grashev, Thomas, Steegmans, Østergaard, Vangenechten and quite amazingly Papok has managed to go with it.
Østergaard attacks!
Vangenechten and Grashev respond! The Bulgarian could get himself a great result in his home-country here.
There's definitely a gap! Thomas with Grashev up the road is wisely making Maes and Steegmans work. Papok still hangs on!
5 to go and it's back together again.
There one more small cobbled section before the finish and it's Maes leading with the two BVP riders right behind.
Maes is in a bad position but he decides to give it a pop from way out!
Steegmans is in Maes' wheel with Grashev and Thomas coming up on the flanks. It seems to be between these four riders.
Make that three as Maes is now going backwards. His move didn't pay off. Thomas takes the lead with Grashev on his side!
But Steegmans comes through! He is the strongest sprinter here!
Gert Steegmans wins Dobrich GP!
Thomas in 2nd place, Grashev with an amazing third place in front of his home fans, Maes holds on for fourth while Vangenechten and Østergaard comes in 5th and 6th. Papok in the end rode an amazing race being in the break all day and going with the favourites in the finale to hold on for 7th place.
