The flag is waved, the race starts. The sun is shining over the peloton, it's a beautiful day, let's hope for some beautiful racing!
The first to attack are Losch and Korsaeth.
Zmorka, Kiflay and Wijerathna join to form a group of five, but the peloton is closely behind.
After a long struggle, Zmorka and Losch manage to stay in front. Together with Vauvourzeix and Wu, they form the break of the day.
They never get too much of a gap, though - mostly, because the attacks from the pack keep coming. For a long time, all those attacks are quickly neutralized, but then, a nine men group breaks away. And upon closer look, we see the big surprise: The group contains Matthieu Drujon and Heinrich Haussler, both leaders of their team and contenders for the final sprint!
And as if that wasn't enough, they attack again as the group gets caught! With Claudio Cucinotta, there's another lead sprinter with them. They don't seem to have much faith in their final sprint today.
They do open a gap of around a minute, but the peloton is working hard. Privatbank-Nemiroff, Hornbach and Gazelle are leading the chase.
With 16 kms to go, the Haussler/Drujon group is caught. The original BOTD is still a minute in front, but the sprint preperations are already beginning. Modolo pulls Napolitano to the front with Lo Cicero not far behind. Right by his side, we have Gerald Ciolek, while Allan Davis leads Danilo Kupfernagel a little in front of them.
Meanwhile, Vauvourzeix has left his breakaway companions behind and enters the second to last round of the race solo.
He doesn't stand much of a chance, though. Meiji and Oz Cycling are relaying within the last 10 kms. Goss is already at the very front, right next to Australian Champion Sulzberger. Cavendish follows him closely.
As the sprint is about to start, we have one predominant sprint train: Karcher-Adira for Danilo Kupfernagel. Modolo is up there as well, but Napolitano and Lo Cicero are a little behind, followed by Granjel Cabrera and Gerald Ciolek. Haussler is there, as well, but how much energy does he have left? On the right side of the road, Giacopo tries everything to bring Goss to the front, Cavendish still on his wheel.
Giacopo really did a great job and brought Goss into a good position. Cavendish and Sam Bennett are in his wheel, Haussler follows the Karcher train, where Allan Davis takes over as the last man for Danilo Kupfernagel. The Meiji trio are already quite a bit behind!
But then, the worst case scenario happens for Karcher: Kupfernagel gets stuck behind the slowing Silvestre and is blocked! Goss is taking over from Giacopo in perfect position, maybe a tad bit early as Napolitano charges like a madman on the left side of the road.
Goss is attacked by Cavendish and the Meiji duo, who caught up with the front. Behind them, Kupfernagel tries to limit the damage while Vanderbiest, Greipel, Maksimov and Ciolek are chasing behind Lo Cicero.
Within the last kilometer, Goss is still in front, but Cavendish and now Lo Cicero are coming in quickly. Bennett is still there, too, Greipel is the fastest man in the second row.
Charging towards the finish line, Lo Cicero on the far left is the fastest of the first four. Napolitano is fading, as well as Bennett, who won't intervene. Ciolek, Maksimov, Kupfernagel and Granjel Cabrera are coming closer, but they might be too far behind ...
Within the last 300 meters, Lo Cicero takes the lead. But in the middle, just between Cavendish and Napolitano, there's Kupfernagel coming back with incredible speed!
He's already in second position as we come to the line! It's him or Lo Cicero! Behind them, Goss is trying desperately to hold off Ciolek and Maksimov to save a spot on the podium.
And Kupfernagel makes the miracle happen! He beats Lo Cicero on the line and takes the win!
Behind them, Ciolek takes the third place in front of Maksimov. Goss even loses the fifth place to Granjel Cabrera after fading a lot in the last few meters. Greipel, Cavendish and Napolitano come in next, while Sam Bennett manages to hold on to a Top 10 place.
Two of the major disappointments of today finish several meters behind: Romain Vanderbiest and Dan Holloway. Both couldn't live up to the expectations today ...
... but were still miles ahead of this guy: Nolan Hoffman. The South African champion comes in on a desolate 34th place.
