Cobbles in the PCT. Another opportunity for Summerhill. Though other more hilly races suit him a lot more and still he is the clear top favourite.
Only 2 riders in the break and surprisingly both team mates of some of the very best. Corwin Ghyselinck
This is actually team mates of Summerhill and Teunissen. So two potential winners here as potential two best.
Despite Corwin being the far better cobbler in direct duel, Azteca is still going for Summerhill and chase behind. The other team organizing a bit is Lierse for Vanbilsen. Also Strava in front at times.
First time on the paves and slopes above 10%. Summerhill comes to the front accelerating himself. It`s 5min left for the duo.
All the other top cobblers right behind him.
It was the same picture on the next Casselberg, where again Summerhill highered the pace. But just afterwards Lierse and Strava control the field but the gap is down to under 3min.
Kemmelberg, Monteberg. Bit of cobbles and we have a first big selection. Only 27 riders in the front group. Biggest names left behind are: Bush Breschel Gaudin Taillefour
and De Maar, who punctured in a bad moment.
They all made it back though and then on the Baneberg with 53km to the finish an interesting scenario.
The break is more or less caught while behind them a group seems to create a gap.
3 Strava riders in there while 2 Lierse riders decided to drop behind not following as it was 7 at first. Baugnies Gilbert Dupont Corwin Ghyselinck
So the break decided to follow this Strava trio as their last chance.
Lierse behind though too strong. With three riders chasing they catch the Strava group and it`s all from the start again.
For Azteca so far a nice and calm day with lots of saved energy.
Strava though continues their tactic and once again attacked with a trio. This time though Gilbert is not one of them and instead Langeveld. So might be even stronger.
Dupont quickly can`t follow and so it`s a Strava duo only. Strong enough so to force the others to do something. Summerhill attacked or probably more accurate followed another team attempt. This time by Lierse with 3 riders as well. Vanbilsen Van Asbroeck Verhelst
The other 9 riders with a small gap are caught quite soon again.
Summerhill and Vanbilsen as best cobblers join the Strava duo Baugnies/Laangeveld a bit later but still 32km to go.
Verhelst very early and Van Asbroeck a bit later though weren`t able to follow. Later is solo 1min later but still 30s ahead of the 51 rider peloton.
Novatek, Carlsberg chasing there. Boonen though as their best bet is dropped from that "peloton" just like De Vocht, Turgot and many others. He could wait for Van Asbroeck actually, who is a bit behind but also with quite a gap to the next then.
Langeveld was doing all the main work on the flat and now he has to pay tribute when the pace was highered.
22km and still Strava with the main work. Summerhilly and Vanbilsen only take half as many relays. Langeveld almsot 1min behind while the peloton is accelerating and down to 34 riders now.
16 km left and a last attempt to catch the leading trio?
Langeveld is caught by Breschel. And also Franzoi, Cancellara, Thomas and Maes attack.
Still no sign of the remaining favourites such as Teunissen or Zepuntke mainly. At least they show themselves in the front rows chasing together with De Maar and Horton.
Breschel with one of his best races recently. He is solo in between the two favourite groups after attacking first. Still 76s behind the trio but on the other hand also 46s ahead of the next 5.
Up to 1'40 though when the trio is reaching the last kilometers. Flamme Rouge in sight and Vanbilsen has the bad position to lead out. Baugnies just behind with Summerhill in the best position.
Meanwhile Carlsberg`s De Maar decided to attack for a bit of TV time and a top 10!
Vanbilsen is attacked by Baugnies. Summerhill still waiting behind them. Who is going to win Gent - Wevelgem.
200m and Summerhill still not going strong! A sign of weakness?
Vanbilsen and Baugnies almost next to each other in a close sprint.
And it was close until the end. But Vanbilsen had this little bit extra and is rewarded the win from the front position.
Baugnies with a good 2nd but also not too happy when beating Summerhill in a direct duel and still not winning.
Last though surely disappointed and far from his best today.
Nice 4th for Breschel and Valio keeps their nice performances up here after a nice solo.
Then the first CT rider! Geraint Thomas outsprints the others for 5th. Franzoi, Cancellara and Maes behind and then a bit later Langeveld as next Strava rider and also De Maar.
Zepuntke wins the sprint behind but is only on a hugely disappointing 11th. Horton behind him, while Van Asbroeck as 13th lost contact to the lead group too early. Teunissen as 15th also a huge disappointment.
