A 12 KM TTT, with a time check half way through, could this be crucial in defining many GC places?

Oz Cycling Project start as the out-right stage favourites, with many teams' set-ups looking like they didn't realize there was a TTT here.



Of the teams to finish first Gazelle is right up there. Perhaps a good sign for Steegmans in the GC?

They are faster than the likes of Boeing-Bulgaria Bicycling, Metinvest-Emirates and not so Quick - step (who would finish second last today, in what is becoming a tour to forget for this team).



Spurred on by Napolitano it is Meiji - Cannondale who are leading at the half way split and finish with only 5 or so teams to go.





Team Puma - SAP would not win today, however, they would put in a respectable time to keep Ciolek right in contention for the GC. 5' down on Meiji - Cannondale for them. Though the Team Puma - SAP boss will be left scratching his head at the decision for his team to drop Ciolek on course meaning he would lose '8 seconds to his team.



RBC Pro Cycling would finish barely a second down at the finish to the Asian team,
Vanderbiest would not lose too many positions in the GC.



Team Ameriabank-Novatek may not be having the best of times in the sprints, however, they are giving their best against the clock. After putting a rider on the podium in the prologue, they would finish tied with RBC today.



Project: Africa really have not had the best of luck in Burkina Faso, Maksimov has unperformed for them all race. They would finish 6th today, with Wesemann rising to 20th in GC.



With only one team to follow, Kazzinc Procycling set the new best time at the finish. They were down at the half way point but surged to finish very quickly. '7 faster than Meiji - Cannondale.



How well would Oz Cycling Project go?

Let's see the final half-way split times:



Oz Cycling Project smashes the split time with 6 KM to go, the most complete TTT train here is flying.



With a massive margin of '30 over the next best Oz Cycling Project take the TTT win, their proficiency against the clock is unrivalled. Olman finished first across the line and regains the GC lead, as bizarrely Goss was dropped to the total of '4 seconds in the final. Only Ciolek, who might not have expected to lose the GC lead there, @ '14 in 4th prevents an all OZ top 6 in GC.

Napolitano and Vanderbist hold on to top 10 spots with Grashev down to 12th @ '44 in GC.