The break today: Losch, Simantirakis & Tolleson. Nice to see the former USA champ soaking up the atmosphere, even if the terrain weren't his cup of tea!
120 KM to go : 7'50 the gap.
Some other teams have appeared at the front but mainly Strava, mostly, and Generali - Kronenbourg 1664 have been doing the chasing.
A good move!
With 53 KM to go the peloton is just 1'00 behind the trio, and down to 82 riders, when we see the first potentially stage-winning attack. It is by, no less than one of the CT stars, De Maar.
He wastes little time in attacking across to the trio, when....
Tolleson hits the deck. That is what happens when you try to follow the Curacao champ! The Chiquita - Universal p/b Minions rider had been following for all of about 30 meters when he hit the deck!
After a brief spell of pace setting by Lierse SK - Pizza Ullo Cycling Team we have a shock with 42 KM to go. Langeveld is seen setting the pace at the front of the, now, 62 strong peloton. Is he leading his team today?
After a good show from De Maar, he ultimately could not resist the bunch and is caught with some 28 KM to go. All favourites together.
Van Wyk on the attack! The Namibian wastes little time in putting in a strong counterattack. Was that why Langeveld was setting the pace?
Four riders try to counter: De Vocht, Turgot, De Maar & Langeveld.
Only De Vocht, Turgot, of the four, manage to get clear of the rest of the favourites. The latter soon to distance the former.
20 KM to go.
With no-one out front Carlsberg - Danske Bank are now the team taking up the chase, but aren't making good inroads to those up ahead. Bakari towards the head of the race.
Looking good for Van Wyk.
With 19 KM to go:
Van Wyk
Turgot
@ '20
De Vocht
@ '36
26 man peloton
@ '56
Take the images, from now on, with a pinch of salt. Due to the shortness of the course, many riders, long dropped, will appear in the screens being lapped.
A Namibian win looks on the cards with 8 KM to go, which is the time when we see the next attack out of the favourites group. The time to the sole leader has increased to well over 1'00.
Ingels is the rider to attack, he would be countered by Langeveld, before the likes of Taillefour nullify this move.
Victory for Strava!
For a long time there was no doubt that Van Wyk was going to take the win, a well timed attack backed up with some strong legs was the story of this one. Strava can sure win these types of races in many ways!
Turgot would soldier onwards and finish, very well, in second place on the day. 1'15 down on the race winner.
De Vocht, on the other hand, would be caught in the dying meters as a 26 strong group of favourites would sprint out the final podium spot.
And it is the previous attacker, Ingels, who rounds out the podium today. Steegmans, perhaps the wiser choice for 3rd, would come home in fourth with his aggressive teammate, De Vocht, holding on for 6th.
Nowhere to be seen all day Aulas pops up for 5th. Another supreme show for Strava, with four in the top 16.
Hard day for Generali - Kronenbourg 1664 though, their best coming home 20th.
