Final stage in the Baltic Chain Tour. Lo Cicero leads with a 3s margin over Ahlstrand. Van Asbroeck and Guerao the only other riders to win from sprint bonifications being inside the 25s range. But for the others it`s still about a stage win and top5 or even podium.
As every stage so far the number of breakaway riders improved. 8 riders today and yet again some of them are within 1min to the GC lead. Parno Barbero Paiani Hatanaka Grippo Bulgarelli Gebrezgabihier Postlberger
Lierse and Coldeportes are in worst position to attack Lo Cicero of those 4 in the 25s range. Still both teams not giving up yet and were doing the early work.
Now closer to the finish the other 2 teams Spotify and Valio work and hence it`s fairly shared.
Porto Prio additionally working as Avelino must aim the stage win here.
15km and 1'10 for the break though first needs to be bridged.
7,5km and yet again the sprinters will decide the stage. No chance for any breakaway so far and except for TV time, nothing to get for them.
Porto Prio in front pacing as much as possible not allowing others to really form their trains. Only Valio somewhat challenging them.
Caldeira
Coutinho
Avelino
Vinther
Guerao
Manninen
Lo Cicero
Lavoine
Zabel
Van Heerden
Itami
Serebriakov
Ahlstrand
Van Asbroeck
Castañeda
Kupfernagel
Porto going too fast. Valio can`t challenge them and hence they placed Lo Cicero behind Guerao and Avelino. Good spot to be really.
Lavoine, Zabel and Bouhanni next with Itami following with a small gap.
2km mark and Porto going for it. Caldeira in front. Coutinho also starting his sprint and Avelino right behind.
Big gap now behind them as Guerao must have been surprised by this. Instead Hoffman from far behind in next spot after sprinting the whole way.
Ahlstrand in huge trouble. He is sitting too far behind and might miss out on any bonus seconds today. And definitely will struggle to attack the GC win this way as Lo Cicero is several spots ahead.
Flamme Rouge and Avelino once again in the lead under the banner.
Behind Guerao and Lo Cicero next to each other with Lavoine, Zabel, Kupfernagel next and Itami, Hoffman following.
The decision though is between Avenlino, Lo Cicero and Kupfernagel. Zabel and Guerao might get into the fight but still a bit behind.
In the end Lo Cicero wins in style justifying the GC lead this way. Zabel with another solid sprint climbs into the U25 jersey and top10 GC which is good seeing his first 3 stages.
Kupfernagel in 3rd ahead of Avelino and Guerao.
Ahlstrand despite todays struggle remains in 2nd as Van Asbroeck and Guerao also didn`t deliver.
Kupfernagel follows as 5th in the GC ahead of Avelino.
Franzoi, Vermote, Teunissen remain in the top10 just behind Zabel due to their prologue.
