Here we are in Barcelona for what should be an interesting race! In case you missed the preview, today's course features 9 laps of 20 kilometers, with an ascent of Montjuïc Hill on each lap. Most managers seem to think Daryl Impey has the best shot of winning, but this race has been far from predictable in the past.
The first move of the day comes from Orbe, Cruz and Sipos. They quickly get a gap just before the first ascent of Montjuïc.
On the hill, another move comes as Vanoverschelde, Blazquez and Choe attempt to bridge.
The peleton does not allow this to stick and another move launches as the leading six are pulled back.
This move gets a significant gap, and it looks like the duo of Pellaud and Watson will be our break of the day.
The pack is lead by Karcher - Adira, Gatorade - SIS and Kenya Airways. The break has 5'20" with 85 kilometers to go.
Gatorade - SIS and Kenya Airways are keeping the breakaway in check and laying down a fast pace. The gap is down to 3'00" with 50 kilometers to go. We still have two more trips up Montjuïc Hill remaining.
Vandousselaere attacks! He has a 2'34" gap to bridge, but he is a strong time trialist so maybe it isn't too unrealistic.
We can see the gaps on the penultimate Montjuïc ascent. Vandousselaere has 1'07" on the pack, while he is 36" behind Pellaud and Watson. 33 kilometers still to go.
Vanoverschelde seems to have died out a bit as he is pulled pack by a charging pack lead by Sancor. The leading duo still have 36" with 22 kilometers remaining.
As we get to the hill, TT superstar Fiedler attacks! He is followed shortly after by Mehr-Wenige, one of the top puncheurs in the race. Di Maggio and Betancourt are notably absent from this move.
The late attack joins the early breakaway, but the field is chasing hard behind. They still hold a 28" gap with 10 kilometers to go.
But equally important, we are getting word of a huge split in the pack! Some 80 riders have been caught out on Montjuïc Hill, with some of the biggest and most surprising names in the race left behind!
Here is the list:
Nelson Greipel Soupe Ewan Bouhanni Anton Martin Reza Bonnet Sanz Ventoso Betancourt Kip Nateghi Hochmann Iglinski Pozdnyakov Volikakis Bouglas Andriato Di Maggio Gatto Geschke Simon
Obviously very grim for Lululemon, Euskaltel, Vontobel and Novatek in particular...
Back to the front of the race. The four riders ahead are pulled back, but Pellaud and Watson give it one last dig as the peloton reaches them.
But they don't get far as the unorganized sprint trains of the select remaining riders charge forward in the final 3 kilometers. Kenya Airways seem to be the most organized with Lang leading Marcato and Impey. Haussler, Nizzolo and Nepomnyachsniy are tacked onto the back of this train.
Sancor are challenging with Haedo leading out his world champion countryman Richeze. Vanoverschelde and Docker are following. A little ways back, we can see Gatorade trying to bring Ben King up, while Pelucchi is trying to find a wheel on a train.
Marcato launches the sprint for Impey. Granjel Cabrera finds his way into the mix.
Marcato's furious leadout begins to stretch things out! He has given Impey a gap over the rest. Breschel is coming fast on the outside, while Vanoverschelde must be feeling the hills now as he quickly fades out of the picture.
Under the banner, Impey passes his fading team mate with a huge gap to the rest. Nizzolo is in third and coming fast.
Impey looks like he will win. The podium battle is tight, however, as Nepomnyachsniy and Nizzolo close in on Marcato in the fight for second.
Impey wins! Marcato fades out of the podium battle as Nepomnyachsniy and Nizzolo charge past him.
Nizzolo holds off Nepomnyachsniy for second. Docker comes in 4th with a late surge.
Marcato holds on for 5th. Richeze will take 6th ahead of Pelucchi. King takes 8th.
Breschel comes home in 9th while Granjel Cabrera finishes out the top 10.
The large group of dropped riders never got a chase organized and most of them come through almost 15 minutes later.
