*Note: Full credits for the report to Selwink, who had to play the stage for me (same issue as with stage three). 6 stages, 3 reporters involved!
The final stage of the Clásico RCN is definitely not the easiest one. A total of 10 climbs, including an HC and a finish climb will definitely provide the final spectacle of this race. After his coup yesterday Rodrigues is today's favourite as well. In any case his lead of 2m55 seems relatively secure. With 72 points for the KoM available today another classification will be decided today as well.
Before the HC climb the breaks don't get much space. At the first 3 climbs it's mainly Ardila, Orozco and Rusli dividing the points.
At the climb itself it's becoming apparent they will form today's break though. Siam Cement - Lenovo slows down and gives some space to the escapees, of whom Orozco is the highest in the GC, being 2rd and 6m59 down. At the start of the stage he's also the highest of the group in the KoM classification with 8 points, compared to 0 for the other two.
As Ardila does not look very interested in the KoM until the HC, a battle between the two others seems likely. Here's an overview of the results of all climbs until the local lap.
1st
2nd
3rd
1 (Cat3)
Rusli
De Greef
Ardila
2 (Cat3)
Orozco
Rusli
Ardila
3 (Cat3)
Rusli
Orozco
Ardila
4 (HC)
Rusli
Orozco
Ardila
5 (Cat4)
Rusli
Orozco
Ardila
6 (Cat4)
Rusli
Ardila
Orozco
In the KoM classification Rusli has obviously taken the lead now.
At the HC climb we have two attackers from the pack. Despite being 7 minutes behind the break De Greef and Chu attack.
After failing to catch up at the final Cat4 Orozco lets the two others go and drops back to the pack, as the two chasers have decided to give up on their mission. The Alpina - Avianca is caught at the first ascent of the local climb.
At the same climb Rusli drops his companion, continuing alone. Ardila manages to catch up in the descent though. The two will now have to defend a 4m lead in the final 55km.
At the next ascent we see Dabrowski on the attack. With 40kms left to ride and the break being two minutes ahead his mission may have a bigger chance than the previous mid-stage attack.
Being about 2m behind the escapees with 20kms to go the pack bursts as well, mainly in front. Txurruka initiates an attack, which is immediately followed by GC-leader Rodrigues. Between them and the leaders Dabrowski is still about 40s behind the leades. Please note many of the riders in this pic are being lapped.
In the pack we see many more waves of attacks. Diniz, Dueñas, Rodriguez and Godoy however don't follow these waves.
With 15km left to ride Dabrowski catches up with the two leaders. With the other groups closer we have the following situation now:
With 11km to go the first chasers catch up, including the race leader, who immediately takes charge. Apart from him and the three escapees we have Txurruka and Rusli's team mate Alizadeh in this group.
Meanwhile Diniz is dropped from the pack, which with 10km to go is a minute behind the leaders.
Despite all efforts from the chasers the break still leads with 5km to go, giving us the following situation:
With 3km to go the chasers are finally rewarded for their efforts though, and they catch up. The fifteen leaders have to defend a 1 minute lead on the 21-man-pack with 3km of climbing to go.
Not awaiting whether the group will hold on Zurita attacks with 2.5km to go, hoping to pick up the stage win. Nobody seems to be able to follow.
The pack, which has come notably closer, has also seen its attacks. Rodriguez and Dueñas opt for the attack, while Godoy decides to wait. Being only 40s behind Dueñas it is a risk though.
Alizadeh, who seems to be very strong today, manages to catch up with Zurita with roughly 2km left to ride.
Rodrigues decides to want to end the race in style, and moments the race leader also catches up with the two leaders.
However, with 1.5km to go they are caught. This leads to a series of mass attacks. Everyone tries to find his way to the front in the group of 15. Only the three earlier escapees and KoM leader Wu can't follow.
Having just 45 seconds to hang on for 2nd Godoy now accelerates as well. He flies past Dueñas and is just 36s behind the leading group, which includes his main rival Iglinski.
With Kulhavy stuck to his wheel he soon heads for former race leader Rodriguez as well.
In the sprint up front it's surprisingly Saggiorato leading with 1km left to ride. His pace is very high and he might even pick up the win here!
Godoy's chase to hang on for 2nd seems successful. He's only 25s behind with 1km to go on the leading group of 11. In his wheel the pack has also made it back now.
Although the stage win seems settled the battle for 2nd is still quite tense. Ochoa Quintero may have a big gap, but the machine Iglinski has also broken free now.
Despite coming closer to 11th Godoy loses time on the entire group. He'll need to catch the rear of the group to hang on for 2nd.
Just before overtaking Ochoa Quintero Iglinski stalls and can't make up the final gap. The podium therefore seems settled for today.
More bad news for Godoy. 3 riders have been dropped from the leading group and the gap to close seems quite impossible now.
Up front Saggiorato manages to claim victory for today after an incredibly strong sprint. Ochoa Quintero and Iglinski claim the other podium places. Zurita, Rodrigues, Arroyo, Sorensen and Alizadeh roll in from 4th to 8th.
Txurruka, Castaño and Moreno come in as 9th, 10th and 11th.
49 seconds after Saggiorato Godoy comes over the line as 12th. This is not enough for him to hold on for GC 2nd, by 12 seconds. Due to Dueñas also being in this group Iglinski takes a GC 2nd at the very last day. Arroyo also benefits of Dueñas's loss, as he overtakes him and ends up 4th.
More than 3m30 behind Diniz comes in. He'll surely drop a lot in the GC.
A few riders, including stage three's winner Tuulhangai, did not finish the race today. Check the names below.
Rodrigues with another huge GC-result and a well deserved victory after his two stage-wins and some aggressive racing.
Iglinski and Godoy holding off defending RCN-champion Arroyo, who misses the win goal for his team. His 4th ain't a total disaster though. Duenas will gladly take that final Top-5 spot.
