Romania with just 6 riders in a mountain NC. Tvetcov (Yorkshire), Stancu and Berdos (1t4i each) are the favourites. Nechita (also 1t4i), Nitu (Chernobyl) and Grosu (Metinvest) are the outsiders. So with half the field 1t4i might be able to control the race for Stancu, who is equally the best climber with Tvetcov.
The outsiders go for it. Early on Nitu and Grosu attack and 1t4i decides to send Nechita with them. Last by far the weakest climber of all 6 while Nitu is the stronger of the two others.
Apparently the three favourites won`t do something against this trio as the gap is up to 2'45 already.
But then out of a sudden they accelerate and quickly catch them. 1t4i must have realized that Nechita is too weak.
On top of the first climb though they again decide to send out Nechita. This time he goes solo though without Grosu/Nitu.
Grosu though realizes this danger and follows. He has a 1min gap.
Which is quickly gone. Together they are on the next climb and seeing the gap up to 5min, the others have given up.
Bad luck for 1t4i, who might have hoped for a better scenario. Tvetcov is alone and Nitu really missed to follow this 2nd time as he was favoured in the first move.
Last decent and Grosu starts to attack Nechita. He clearly is the better allrounder and a rider to watch out for next year as he made his last step.
Expect him to be a nice PT rider and improve his palmares.
Nechita was able to stay with him but now at the start of the final climb, Grosu attacks again.
And leaves Nechita behind. No chance for him.
Big win for Grosu. One of many to follow I guess. Romania`s biggest talent could dominate Romanian cycling for a long time.
Nechita behind fought hard but is beaten clearly.
Eduard Grosu
