A stacked sprinters field, not necessarily with the best riders in the division, but with most being very similar to each. Makes calling the winner a really tough job.
After six failed breakaway attempts, we finally get our first of the stage and this race. It has Schelgel, Roman, Georgiev and Oomen.
No intermediate sprints or KOM points available today.
Boring race in the middle stages...
Fast forward to 90 km left. The peloton has started chasing with the break now 5'29" ahead. Berg, Indosat, Sauber and In-n-Out leading them on.
The break is starting the last climb now. 43 km to go.
Sauber have taken charge at the front. 15 km left. The break's lead is 1'6".
8 km. Oomen attacks from the break. he has 20" to his former companions and a further minute to the break now.
The peloton catch the three man breakaway group with 3.5 km left. Oomen still has a 41" lead.
The sprints trains have formed already.
On the left is Speirs - Moser - Hayakawa - Pelucchi - Kruopis.
On the right is Chavanne - Manan - Salleh - Lavoine - Mezgec.
Nateghi has just jumped off the Indosat train.
Oomen's lead is down to 32". 2.5 km to go.
Thorsen is dropped.
1.5 km. This is the view from Mezgec. Oomen is holding on but now only has 14" to the pack.
The train is Manan - Salleh - Moser - Lavoine - Chavanne. Hayakawa is just about to start his sprint on the right.
Oomen is caught as we pass under the red kite. It's Lavoine vs Salleh vs Moser. Lavoine has his path blocked by Manan!
500 meters later, Lavoine has negotiated Manan and is now leading! Moser is next to him while Salleh looks a little sluggish.
300 meters to go. Salleh is falling further back while Pelucchi makes up ground. Hayakawa has lost momentum.
The view from Pelucchi with 100 meters left. Lavoine looks to have this wrapped up.
And he does! Lavoine wins the first stage in Slovenia. Moser takes 2nd with Salleh 3rd.
Pelucchi finished 4th.
Kupfernagel is 5th. Kruopis is 6th. Hayakawa hangs on for 7th ahead of Manarelli.
Soupe gets 9th, ahead of Chen. Mezgec is next.
Today's winner and GC leader - Antoine Lavoine.
Hayakawa is the U25s leader while Berg leads the team standings after this stage.
