It's time for the final race of the season in the Man-Game division that has been dominated by one team. Gazelle is here with a strong team and will most likely try to control things on this classic course around Zürich. A few hills to start us off before the final circuit of 40 kilometres and two climbs that has to be dealt with a total of four times. Let's go!
Vorganov won in Yekaterinburg and is allegedly in peak condition. Surely a big favourite today!
Five riders have gone clear after the first climb. Da Dalto, Kolar, Gomenyuk, Hugentobler and Lindau.
We fast forward to 120 to go. One lap has already been completed, three to go. The leaders are 6'30 up the road and Gazelle is at the front here with Lalouette.
The two following laps are completed without any further drama. Here's the break coming into the final lap with a lead that has come down. 2'15 now. 40 to go.
As they are near the top of the first climb it's still quiet in the pack eventhough pace is high. 1'28 seperates the break and the pack now.
In the descent Iberia sends out Daniel Moreno!
It doesn't work for the Spaniard and things are back together at the foot of the final climb. Hugentobler goes again!
The final climb is steep but also abrupt. Hugentobler attacked in a very steep section but is out in front with 20 seconds as Cioban of Ekspla-Cision goes!
This starts a wave of attacks and a strong front group is gathered. Gazelle with both Furdi and Weening. Allianz with Talarbadon. Ekspla-Cision with Cioban. Iberia with Sanchez and Moreno. Magna with Ilias. Adira with Mehr-Wenige. Hugentobler is about to crack it seems.
Ilias has taken the lead. For now the favourites have got rid off Vorganov so they will try to keep a tight chain here and keep the Russian out of contention.
Allianz wants more riders up front as Kirchen goes!
Short thereafter near the top Weening has ridden out a gap over the others!
Ilias and Sanchez cannot keep up here! That's a surprise.
Vorganov is chasing from behind as he goes over the top. He is 2 minutes behind though.
Weening goes alone under the 10 to go banner. He has 27 seconds on a group of five with Talarbadon, Moreno, Furdi, Cioban and Mehr-Wenige.
The German gets low on his bike to try and catch up to Weening. Furdi is getting a free ride here.
We've hit the flat again. 6,400 metres left and Weening's gap is down to 24 seconds!
But then there's tactics going on in the chase group and Weening pulls away again.
1,800 metres left and Weening is going to win this one. What a fitting end to Gazelle's season!
Here's the sprint for second. Blaz Furdi takes the lead with Talarbadon right behind. The Frenchman is not much of a sprinter though. Moreno looks toasted!
Victory for Pieter Weening and Team Gazelle. Blaz Furdi secures them a 1-2, another brilliant race for them!
Mehr-Wenige would like to have beaten Furdi here, but he was caught behind Talarbadon for too long and takes third place. The Frenchman takes fourth, a good result for him.
5th for Cioban, Carrara takes 6th ahead of Dall'antonia and Sanchez. Moreno takes 9th and Vorganov gets a dissapointing 10th place.
A photo to sum up the 2013 Continental season could very well look exactly like this one!
So Allianz gain some points on Magna, but is it going to be enough?
