Today riders from Cote d'Ivoire, Madagascar, Taiwan and United Arab Emirates will contest their NC's on the Cobbles. 10 riders facing 53km of flat, yet bumpy terrain.
The break would form immediately off the line. Randrianambinina (VUK), Khalifa (VAD) and Hung (CPL) were the trio to do so. With a lack of chase behind it looks almost certain that the Madagascan, Taiwanese and Arabian NC's are won by these three.
But what will happen for Cote d'Ivoire?
The answer comes at halfway! A mid-race attack, in an NC??!! Sanogo (WCC) attacks. Lee (CDB) follows but surely he's too late to go for the Taiwan title.
Randiranambinina wins the overall race, and the Madagascan NC. Taiwan claimed for Hung. UAE victory for Khalifa.
Suddenly a power cut would sweep across the finish area and we lose all timing screens and TV coverage!
Thus Sanogo's victory for the Cote d'Ivoire title is unseen by the viewers.
We're also unable to bring official results due to the lack of working technology at the finish. But the rest of the race is certainly OTL.
The ITT followed. Although it wasn't the most inense of races.
The best race would be for the Cote d'Ivoire, with Sanogo vs Konte. With Konte (LPM) claiming the title by a slender 19" over the RR winner. At least they share the titles this season.
Madagascar would go to Andriafenomananiaina by over 3'00! The VisitUkraine boys sharing titles between them.
UAE would go to Banihammad by over 2'00! Another clear win for the Indosat rider. And again the NC's being shared between entrants.
However the overall ITT and Taiwan title would go to Wang of Compal, giving that team both RR and ITT titles of Taiwan. Wang would be a clear 48" ahead of his closest rival.
No power cuts today and thus we have official timings.
