Welcome to Philadelphia! We’re surely in for an interesting race today, as the Manayunk Wall (which will be climbed 8 times including the finish) will definitely make things unpredictable. That is the main feature of this race aside from the cool setting in downtown Philly. We have 8 laps at 23 km each, so let’s get things underway!
The first move comes from six riders: Aramendía, Witmitz, Gil, Lemoine, Lewis, and Lovassy.
As with many first moves, they are pulled back as the next attack comes from Pancake, Van der Ploeg, Hagen, Bolivar, Cardoso, and Kulppi.
But they are chased down once again and everything is back together as we get our first look at the Manayunk Wall.
But as the riders crest the hill, a group of 4 escapes! Once again we have Kulppi, Hagen, and Van der Ploeg, but this time they are joined by Frohlinger. Behind the pack is chill, so it looks like this will be our BotD.
Eritel leads the pack by setting the pace. Obviously they have faith in their man Juan Van Heerden. With 107 kilometers remaining, the gap has gone out to 5’40”.
As the riders ascend Manayunk for the 5th time, their gap is being well controlled by Eritel and it is down to 3’51”. 72 kilometers remain.
The majority of the work is still being done by Eritel, but they are getting significant help from Puma now as well, who want to bring it back for Gerald Ciolek. The gap is down to 2’53” with 52 kilometers beginning.
On the other side of the hill, Sulzberger attacks! A powerful rouleur, this is a strong move.
Steegmans makes a move to bridge up to him. An even more powerful rouleur, these two could make a very credible threat.
But it looks like Steegmans doesn’t want to work with anybody as he blows right by a suffering Sulzburger. His gap is 30” on the pack, while he still has another 1’15” to pull back on the breakaway.
But the pack is moving too quickly behind and both riders are swallowed only a few kilometers later.
Meanwhile, the agreement amongst the breakaway riders seems to be falling apart as Hagen and Van der Ploeg launch attacks.
As they hit Manayunk for the penultimate ascent, it looks like Hagen blew his load too early as he and Kulppi are gapped by the other two. The gap stands at 1’10” with 23.7 kilometers to go.
Back in the peleton we have another attack! This time it’s Roth, who quickly gets a 20 second gap.
But Roth is pulled back shortly after, along with Kulppi. And now it is Vanspeybrouck’s turn to give it a go!
Vanspeybrouck is followed by Albert, King, and Delgerbayar. Are Eritel and Puma losing control of this one?
Vanspeybrouck manages to catch the remnants of the breakaway with a small gap to the others!
And everyone ahead joins together as the relentless pace of the field proves unbeatable. But Ben King decides to give it another go, as he launches a solo attack. 9 kilometers to go.
Ben king has 21” on the field as he drives under the 5 kilometer banner. Eritel and Puma remain on the front, still setting a high pace.
Eritel are organizing their leadout train: Ayoune, Van der Sande, and Van Heerden with Demare tacked onto the back. Puma are next to them with Daniel and Weber, seemingly setting up a leadout for Ciolek who is nowhere to be found. Santambrogio is off to the side.
Ayoune pulls off as Van der Sande launches his lead out. Behind them in the train is Demare, Granjel Cabrera, Haussler, Breschel, Mørkøv, Stallaert, and Smukulis. Ciolek has found his leadout train, dragging Giacoppo along on his wheel.
Van der Sande is giving an excellent leadout as Ben King is caught at the base of Manayunk.
It looks like the Puma train with Ciolek is struggling as they are left behind! Luckily for them, they still have Demare up ahead.
The leading 9 sprinters have a pretty decent gap on the field as Van Heerden launches his bid for the win!
Now Demare launches himself as well! He is a bit more capable in the hills so he must be enjoying the gradient of Manayunk. He opens up a small lead.
Demare doesn’t seem to be slowing down and the line is right in sight, surely the win is his. But now we also have Summerhill coming into the picture. Van Heerden is trying to hold off Breschel, Mørkøv, and Stallaert.
Demare celebrates a well-deserved victory!
Van Heerden holds on to 2nd. Smukulis with a late surge rounds off the podium, narrowly beating out Mørkøv. Granjel Cabrera takes 5th, followed by Breschel in 6th and leadout man Van der Sande in 7th. Stallaert fades into 8th while Summerhill charges into 9th. Haussler finishes the top 10.
