After yesterday’s rather hilly stage we’re back in a stage which is very well-suited for the sprinters, meaning Hushovd, who showed bad form yesterday by not being in the front group, Förster, McEwen and maybe also J.J. Haedo
As always, a morning (or tv) break got away, today including following riders: Bertogliati (Accumalux), Roberts (Eurosport), Donald (Slipstream) and Sestili (Credit Lyonnais). It wasn’t the four of them who took the headlines of the first kilometres, though. That was instead the team leader of Festina, Haimar Zubeldia, who punctured. Surprisingly, only two riders were sent back to help him, but he did get back without any problems
Many kilometres later, with 100 km. left, the break had managed to build a gap of 8’55 to the peloton – but it’s already starting to decrease. 50 km. later, it was down to 3’43 with Warner Bros, Wikipedia and Festina leading the peloton. At this point, it seemed sure the break was going to be catched. It didn’t get any better when Sestili decided to drop out of the break, and with 25 km. to go it was over.
So, fast-forwarding again, the sprint has just started. Mangel is in front, leading out for Credit’s sprinter, Dumoulin. On his wheel is Eisel who has Sony Ericsson’s Bazajev next to him. Behind him, it’s Hushovd, Farrar, Friedman and Haedo. Let the sprint begin!
1 kilometre to go! It’s Dumoulin leading, but both Eisel and Bazajev seem strong. We also have Hushovd, Farrar, McEwen and Borghesi in the contest. Haedo seems blocked, though.
And very surprisingly, it’s a win for Bazajev ahead of Farrar and Hushovd! A fine win for Bazajev, and very well done by Farrar, the young American of France TV.
