Welcome to the first of two PCT classics, the individual time trial on the Isle of Man. Controversial opinions on the favourites have designed the previews: can anybody beat Fiedler? And will it be a pure time triallist like Yatsevich, a punchier time triallist like Cornu or an allrounder like Brajkovic?
On a calm and cloudless day on the Isle of Man the adction starts early with some semi-strong contenders. We expect the first really strong time from Van Winden.
On the first intermediate checkpoint though he is only 6 seconds faster than the current leader Van Zandbeek,
who seems to be on a very good day. The next threat incoming then surely is Schädlich, who also is in an early block.
He's 7 seconds faster than the Dutchman. Right behind him...
... Pökälä, the first hilly rider. He is far behind though and lost 43 seconds into St. John's already.
Meanwhile, Van Zandbeek only 25 seconds behind Van Winden on the second checkpoint in Ramsey. Surely a good day for him. Schädlich another 25 seconds faster before the steep climb starts.
In behind many 2nd block guys like Cancellara or Ghyselinck miss the time set pretty far off.
Interesting! Van Winden gained on the climbing part on his fellow countryman, that was unexpected after the performances so far.
At least we have somebody close to Schädlich on the first checkpoint now, Gonzalez Salas is just 4 seconds off!
He started the block of top riders, behind him in the following order to come soon:
Christian Viviani Brajkovic Yatsevich Oliveira Brändle Paillot Cornu Fiedler
Christian is far off, and Viviani also at +14 on the first checkpoint.
Back to the front Schädlich is on a good run into a Top 5, leading the current standings at the 3rd checkpoint up Snaefell by half a minute over the first Generali stallion.
Meanwhile Van Zandbeek set a first time to watch in the finish (Douglas) in 1'29'10. Van Winden right behind him is only 27 seconds faster, not his best day!
Focussing at the back motorbikes with some dangerous shots on Paillot,
who is lacking only 2 seconds so far! Right behind him is Cornu.
What a horrible day he is having, 29 seconds down on the first checkpoint. Fiedler surely is better than him today, but how good might he be at the first checkpoint?
Far better! He is leading by an incredible amount of 13 seconds on his countryman. Another day of German TT dominance?
Focussing 50 kilometers up the road it's Schädlich finishing off, and he stamds at...
...1'28'03, 39 seconds faster than vW. Now we'll have toü wait a long time for the next contending riders, Cancellara is the only one in sight for danger and he was slower than the italian dutchy so far.
2nd checkpoint before the Snaefell:
Gonzalez Salas +26 Christian +2'06 Viviani +52 Brajkovic +48 Yatsevich +29 Oliveira +1'28 Brändle +32 Paillot +17
So far a very good sight for Brändle, Brajkovic and Paillot to attack the current leader, also Yatsevich strong. But do you want to see some demolition?
Cornu is getting absolutely hammered by Fiedler, who overtakes him with 25!!! km to go as penultimate rider. A catastrophy for Euskaltel. While the later wipes the intermediate lead away by over half an hour, the former is already more than two minutes down. For one a day to forget, for the other only a hill and possible crashes in his way to win here.
Cancellara is in now, 50 seconds down on Schädlich in 3rd surely is beyond his hopes in a negative way though.
Wiesenhof clearly with a good motivation speech,
as Brändle looks very good halfway up the mini-mountain.
3rd checkpoint (up Snaefell):
Gonzalez Salas +34 Christian +2'36 Viviani +1'05
Not lost much on the climb - Brajkovic's chance?
Brajkovic +20
Not really, he is still down the time. Still looking solid for a Top 5 though.
Yatsevich +37 Oliveira +1'38 Brändle +20
For Brändle it's the same as for Janez, it might be #4-5 at the end for them, depending on Yoann:
Paillot +14
Still a close contestant race for the podium. But at the front stuf should be clear with Fiedler 41 seconds ahead up the mountain.
Cornu around P20 at this point, 2'36 down.
Now let's focus back on the run-in! Gonzalez Salas is first, 3 seconds down on DvW in third currently. Yatsevich then takes his place thogh, after an unsuccessful current 8th for Viviani even behind Cancellara, Van Zandbeek and Barth.
In between Brajkovic came in second, 27 seconds down on Schädlich surely wasn't perfect though.
After a far off Oliveira then Brändle is the next guy, purposed to come current 2nd. And he does, in a close battle between him and the Slovenian he is 4 seconds faster.
His time then get's attacked and beaten by...
... Paillot, who lacks 14 seconds to the German. Like this he prevents Wiesenhof from a double podium behind the unstoppable...
... Fiedler, who decided to have a dominition day a la 2014 Panzerwagen. He finishes in 1'27'14, that's 45 seconds faster than Schädlich in 2nd. What a day!
We bettter won't mention Cornu anymore (#20).
The final picture belongs to the celebration of another sweet memorial in the great career of Jacob Fiedler, which will bring a bunch of valuable points to his team!
Thanks for joining us; we'll as always close this one out with the final results:
Isle of Man 
