We join you here for a classic, hilly with lots of little cobbled sectors then a big downhill one on each circuit. The list of big favourites begins with S and ends with Ummerhill whilst the usual suspects who are among the 9 teams present, such as Baugnies, Vanbilsen and, if the hill is less selective, Cancellara. Just 72 riders at the start for this fine spring day. Here's a quick overview of the day so far:
Peeters Barta and Boonratanathanakorn are today's break. They built a maximum gap of 7'30".
130km and 6'22"
120km and 6'17"
110km and 6'25"
100km and 6'10"
90km and 4'21"
80km and 3'47"
With 80km to go Lagab made his move from quite far out to attempt a bridge.
70km and 3'23"
65km and Lagab has replaced Boonratanathanakorn.
60km and 3'01"
50km and 2'42"
Debesay is one of many dropped as the pack was thinned to 25 riders, along with Nepomnyachsniy and Gaday.
43km and Summerhill along with teammate Rodas Ochoa had bridged to the breakaway, they have 30 seconds and so it was all on Strava to shut the gap as Lierse and Novatek wouldn't chase because of their man in the lead group. However the boys in orange set a huge pace and the peloton was 22 riders including the breakaway, dropping Franzoi and Sibilla.
We join you live now and what a pace the leaders are setting - the group is down to twelve and in it is: Rodas Ochoa, Coronel and Summerhill Baugnies, Gaudin, Gilbert, Potts and Langeveld Barta Peeters Lagab and Zepuntke.
Meanwhile we've found Cancellara who appears to be ill - he's minutes behind whilst Vanbilsen has two teammates in the chasing group containing unfriendly Azteca and Strava domestiques among others.
Barta has been dropped and Peeters has dropped back to help Vanbilsen and Joseph who are TTTing 20 seconds behind with 35km left now.
The latter two make it back but could it be too late? Baugnies attacks, Summerhill and Lagab in tow.
Zepuntke, Vanbilsen and Joseph find themselves outnumbered 2 to 1 here and so it'll be nigh on impossible to close the already 40 second gap, the remaining Azteca and Strava domestiques are spread across the road and will be provide no support at all!
Vanbilsen and Joseph are dropped and we can pretty much confirm our podium if Lagab can hang on just 10 more kilometres, he's perhaps wisely not taking pulls with 20km left.
Summerhill tests the legs near the foot of the final climb, it's too much for the Algerian who has 2'03" to defend against the now just 4 chasers: Coronel*, Langeveld*, Gaudin* and Zepuntke. *Not actually chasing
12km to go, base of the final ascent and Summerhill accelerates one too many times for Baugnies, who's actually caught by Lagab who's been about 15 seconds behind the whole time!
Langeveld knows his leader's podium is secure and goes clear for an attempt at 4th.
10km to go and the American has a safe 40 seconds.
Strava want it all - Gilbert rejoins Gaudin and they along with Zepuntke chase down Coronel in the hunt for 5th. Catch them they do, and so it's four riders for 5-8th whilst Langeveld already has 2'22" and is looking at shutting the 1'04" to Baugnies and Lagab.
4km and a full minute for Summerhill.
400m to go, over tough cobbles? He's a boss so he can sit up and soak in a tough win that looked easy.
Lagab cruises to an amazing 2nd place over Baugnies.
Coronel pips Gaudin for 5th, and that is our coverage for today in what's been a chaotic race: we hope you enjoyed it and see you again next time.
