Sunny day awaits the riders today in Barcelona. First group formed up the road forms the break of the day. Surprisingly no more attacks as the peleton sits up.
Bekmanis Zhupa Stuyven Sirironnachai
Meanwhile in the peleton there are three prominent teams working at the front. Bank of Ireland for Drapac, Puma for Minnard, Nutresa for Cathoeven and ASDA for Rowe.
With 30km to go even worse, Lejman suffers a puncture which ends his hope of good result. Big shame for the home team team.
20km to go and it's still the same three teams that began their work at the start and still leading. The break is within sight, the gap just above 1'00". Looks like it won't end well for them today.
The climbs have been surprisingly easy, statement to that was the presence of Drapac near the front throughout the day so far being sheltered by teammates. Similarly Rowe & Forero as all other sprinters are near the top of bunch.
Home team's day gets from bad to worse as this time one of their riders crashes before the final ascent. Pierzga being the victim. Not only FCB lost their leader early on, with the race seemingly easier their lost their best sprinter too...
And that is not all as Pierzga crash takes out few more riders, including another FCB rider plus one of the dark horses for the race in Iglinski as well as the leader of Eddie Stobart. The whole list of victims of this crash:
As the peleton ascents the Montjuic for the final time most of the team leaders are in great position for what looks like will be a bunch sprint.. However some are totally out of position. That includes Aguilar, Uugunbayar and Teruel.
10km to go and it's Kohler on the attack! The gap to break is now just over 30 seconds, they are holding on, but the peleton should make an easy catch.
While Zhupa can't keep the pace of his three other companions he is dropped and caught by the peleton. Kohler is almost there while the break passes 5km to go with 40 seconds gap...it somehow increased. Kohler's attack must have surprised few teams.
When the peleton crosses 5km you'd exepct leadouts taking place, but instead it's absolute chaos, disorganization everyone. The only train looking to be taking some shape is from Drapac who has Sobal and Hawkins with him.
There's a ton of Asda riders but none of them working together, and actually it's Rowe sitting 2nd wheel in the peleton at the moment. Behind him there's Fonesca, Caethoven and Golas, Arango, Minnard and Peeters.
Last year 2nd place rider Duque is trying to get onto's Drapc wheel while behind him Priamo and Haedo trying to catch Duque's wheel. Vingerling and Matzka look in a decent position as well.
However that can't be said for some who are totally caught out and will find it almost impossible to move up with just few km's to go. The riders at the back include: Lorenzetto Sweeting Aguilar Uugunbayar Bole Teruel Forero
No surprise few riders previously mentioned looking out of the battle for top positions unless they can move up fast.
Kohler joins the break and immediately goes on front! Show of brute power from him! 3.5km left and 20 seconds remaining...can they actually do it?
2.5km later and with 2.5 km left the situation becomes more organized! However the break is still up the road with 25secs lead.
Sobal
Veilleux
Hawkins
Rowe
Drapac
Arango
Peeters
Fonesca
Vingerling
Meenhosrt
Lorenzetto
Golas
Priamo
Minnard
Sweeting
Saramotins
Haedo
Just few metres later the Drapac train breaks up, he moves upon Fonesca's wheel who is following the first rider to make the move! And that is Arango! Rowe is on the right hand side waiting for perfect time. Behind the front riders it's Peeters, Vingerling, Haedo and Golas.
The breakaway can see the 1km to go banner and the finish line! Could that help them hold on till end?
No! Arango is absolutely flying and the break is overhauled with 800 metres to go, brave effort! Drapac is beginning his acceleration but can the Colombian be caught? There's chaos behind, but two riders who looked in great position don't have it today.. Peeters and Fonesca started on Drapac's wheel but are being overtaken by sprinters coming from behind!
Arango still leading however Drapac is accelerating rapidly! Can Arango hold for 200 metres longer?
Behind them Golas, Minnard and Priamo looking the quickest from the rest, while two original break members Stuyven and Sirironnachai are holding their ground so far!
He couldn't. Drapac takes comfortable win at the end. No one came close. What a win for the Aussie, especially on this terrain!
Using Drapac's splistream Golas gets a surprise 2nd, performing well when Caethoven couldn't. Minnard takes a good third for Puma, scoring yet again well in a lower class race.
Rather interestingly, the three teams that worked the most made the podium today.
Arango hold to 4th, what an effort considering how early he went. With Forrero yet again underperforming (50th place) this is a welcome result by Alpina. Priamo completes the top 5, he looked quickest at the end, few metres more and he would have been on the podium.
Another underperforming sprinter this year Rowe finishes 6th, considering he's similar quality to Drapac that is not a great result, but better than some of his previous results, possibly a step in right direction for him.
Gene, Sweeting, Saramotins and Stuyven complete the 6th to 10th places. Especially amazing by the young Belgian.
Barcelona Classic GP
