Welcome at the start of the 2014 Giro dell'Emilia. The weather is very pleasant for the time of the year, and chances of rain seem excluded so far.
The first attack for today is from home team Kappa-ENI, which doesn't have a real candidate for today. The Mexican climber Pulido sets off.
He's not the only attacker of today. The break consists of 5 riders today. Apart from Pulido Hirt, Tolleson, Herklotz and De Baat.
The pack takes it easy in the first part of the race. At the summit of the Ganzole, the first climb of today (115km to the line) the lead for the break is no less than 7m20.
However, at the summit of the Manzuno, 75 km from the line, the lead has decreased harshly. It's now just 4m40, so this shows the pace set by the pack already.
This doesn't only impact the break. The first of probably many victims are already made in the pack. Their names are Frame and Sinclair. Many more riders seem to suffer in the back of the pack though.
The break heads into the local laps at 40km to go with a lead of about 2m30. On the first ascent of the San Luca the pace therefore goes up a bit. De Baat immediately comes in trouble. He's dropped even before the summit.
In the pack the stronger domestiques come forward now, and currently AMEXpc and Swedbank – PEAB set the pace.
The latter does get some trouble in the descent. Skujins himself may have stayed upright, but his main lieutenant Hoogerland is down!
At the next ascent the break shrinks to 3. The high pace on the San Luca has become too much for Tolleson, who has to let the group of three in front go.
In the pack, which is less than 1m30 behind the break now, Craven takes the lead. Any doubts about Di Maggio's leadership have now been taken away.
The third ascent of the San Luca brings today's first attacks in a while. Monfort launches himself past Tolleson, and Froome tries to follow!
Together with Hirt, the next victim in the break, they establish a 30s gap on the pack. The two final escapees are less than half a minute ahead now.
This, however, is not to the liking of Di Maggio. He takes control of the pack. This even leads to a split. Only few manage to survive this.
Just after the summit Monfort and Froome catch Herklotz and Pulido, which means the leading group consists of 4 riders again.
Only 26s behind that the second group, still lead by Di Maggio, is closing in. Apart from Di Maggio Craven, Kump, Taborre, Mehr-Wenige, Skujins, Bellis, Hirt and Kangert are present.
Two important men seem to be missing out. British champion Dowsett, Bobridge and French champion Gautier both are in the 89-men-pack, 1m04 behind the leaders, and about half a minute behind the chasers.
The latter spots an opportunity to break away to the chasers though, and he quickly catches up.
Meanwhile Di Maggio has attacked from the chasing group! He catches Herklotz and Pulido on the descent, but Froome and Monfort are still ahead.
The remaining chasers can't set a similar pace to Di Maggio's and quickly they lose time on both the pack and the leaders. Pulido and Herklotz are caught soon though.
Up front Di Maggio is rewarded for his efforts, as he catches up to Froome and Monfort. The leading group now has a lead of 45s to the chasers.
The pack seems excluded now though. It has suffered severe time losses and with 12km to go the deficit on the leaders is already over 1m30.
Trouble in the chase! An argument causes time loss and a probable catch by the pack. The three leaders meanwhile can gain more and more.
Although the pack can't make the catch, it does allow Bobridge to make the jump to the chasers.
More riders from the pack make the jump just a bit later. Kelderman, Dowsett, Visconti and, surprisingly, crash victim Hoogerland catch up.
Ahead of the chase we find a new attack! Gautier has jumped away and established a gap. Skujins also got away, but couldn't catch the French champion.
However, the three leaders head in the final lap of 9.2km not only with fresh faces, but also with a lead of also a minute!
After the jumps from the pack the group of 83 slows down. Nobody is feeling like chasing, and thus the 19 riders ahead of the pack will probably form the top-19.
At the summit of the San Luca we see Gautier chasing, but not with Skujins. Instead, it's Bobridge who made the catch.
Behind this chasing group we see the third group has split into three parts as well. The first part consists of Bellis, Mehr-Wenige and Kangert. The other favourites are all in the 4th group, about 25s behind this one.
With 5km to go we see some action at the very front again though! Di Maggio has enough of the lack of work of his companions, and accelerates. Unfortunately for him he doesn't drop his companions.
At the foot of the San Luca, just 2km from the line, all 3 are still together. We currently have this situation behind them:
+ 0:36 Bobridge, Gautier
+1:31 Kangert, Mehr-Wenige, Bellis
+2:28 The other favourites
With 1.5km to go Di Maggio accelerates again!
This time it looks like it will pay off. He manages to establish a small gap at the climb, where the slopes now hit more than 12%.
He can't keep up his effort though, and now Froome goes. The question is whether he has enough power in the tank to pass the Italian. Monfort meanwhile seems like settling for third.
Far behind that Gautier accelerates as well, and it starts to look like he'll end up 4th today.
On the flat section Froome and Di Maggio are alongside each other! This could get very close at the line.
With 300m to go the Brit gets the lead though, and at a higher pace than Di Maggio this race looks his.
Very far behind that more sprints start. Bellis seems the weakest in his group of 3, which is surprising.
Up front Froome collapses again! He still holds a lead, but it's decreasing again!
At the line
a relieved Cesare di Maggio can raise his arms! He delivers his team a beautiful win in the home country. Froome ends up 2nd, visibly disappointed.
Monfort comes third toda, after a brave attack with 20km to go.
Although his lead is smaller than expected, Gautier's acceleration in the final kilometer is rewarded with a 4th place. Bobridge comes 5th.
More than 2 minutes have already passed since Di Maggio crossed the line, but here's the sprint for 6th. Kangert wins this one, ahead of Mehr-Wenige and Bellis.
In the battle for 9th Craven beats Skujins, Kelderman, Dowsett, Hoogerland and Kump. Taborre comes 15th.
