Bank of Ireland – Irish Cycling can be really happy with this mini tour as they have Mendes up there in GC and have made the break on multiple occasions.
The break stood little chance with so many teams interested.
In addition to
FCB - Polska, they were protecting the race lead, we also had
Evonik - Signal Iduna,
Risa - Ergon,
Team Vontobel and
Wounded Warrior Racing setting pace throughout the stage.
Terrain: not too difficult.
Inside 100 KM to go and the break take the first of four ascents over a hill. The terrain is certainly not as hilly as it makes out on the stage profile, except many sprinters to come to the finish feeling very good.
13 KM to go: Break @ '50.
Evonik - Signal Iduna and
Team Vontobel setting the pace with the break not too far ahead now.
Inside the last 10 KM,
Azteca - NBCSN join in the chase. Many teams want this back together for a bunch sprint with a fairly weak sprinting line-up many teams fancy their chances.
Under 3 KM to go: Break are caught.
It was a brave effort but the break ultimately don't make it to the finish.
Evonik - Signal Iduna look in a great position.
1 KM to go.
The Head of the Race:
| |
| Hansen | |
| Boivin | |
| Geschke | Magallanes |
 Bros | Milan |
 Herrera | Haedo |
| |
|  Gajek |
| De Ketele |
| Haddou |
| |
| -------- |
| Watson | |
| Matthews | |
 Bole | |
A great burst of acceleration from
Hansen is to much for the other sprint trains. Many sprinters look to be caught off guard and well behind.
With only a few hundred meters left, stage favourite,
Matthews is well out of position.
Bole looks to have chosen the wrong wheel today.
Evonik - Signal Iduna couldn't have asked for any more from
Hansen today. The Dane peels off and is replaced by
Boivin, it is looking good for
Geschke.
Haedo ends up losing more ground as
Azteca - NBCSN cannot compete with this sprint set up.
200 meters to go.
Brus is the closet challenger but is losing ground on those up ahead.
Matthews
(bottom of picture) is surely too far behind.
Geschke comes around his teammate after the perfect lead-out.
1 - 2 for Evonik - Signal Iduna!
Geschke takes the win with his lead-out man
Boivin holding on for second place.
Evonik - Signal Iduna showed its class in the finale today.
Matthews, was the fastest in the final, finishes well to round off the podium ahead of
Haedo who takes fourth ahead of a duo from
Wounded Warrior Racing.
All 108 riders finished together.
Super!
FCB - Polska's decision to enter this c2 race, looks to be a wise one as
Lejman leaves with the yellow jersey, points jersey and KOM jersey.
Boivin, with the bonifications from his second place finish, will take home the youth jersey.
Team Nordeus don't achieve their win goal, however,
Bole finishes on the podium and they take the team classification.
