The final stage is here. Under normal circumstances it should be a procession with champagne and a lot of happy faces, but maybe not today:
a) There's a stage win available, and some sprinters don't want to leave empty-handed.
b) Haller could theoretically take the points classification, but has to win the stage and take points at an intermediate sprint.
c) Talansky is eight seconds behind Valls in the GC and there are bonus seconds available today.
112 riders started this adventure and, assuming nothing happens today, all 112 riders will finish this adventure. If that doesn't warrant a group selfie, nothing will.
Rothaus set up a train for the intermediate sprint containing Bain, Minnard, Mollema and Van Heerden. Van Heerden would win the intermediate sprint, while Haller took second place ahead of Meyer. The Austrian can now win green by winning the stage.
The sextet did not continue to ride, and allowed themselves to be caught despite a sizable gap. No stage three scenario today.
Afterwards a breakaway was formed, which leads by two minutes when we enter the city of Ellensburg for four laps of nine kilometers: Wallays Van der Ploeg Marin Powless Vermeulen
The gap goes down but not enough to give the breakaway a slight hope of stage victory. We're inside the final lap with the gap still 40 seconds. Vermeulen attacks in hope to avoid a sprint.
Vermeulen is caught by the other four on the final stretch. Then they launch their sprint, with Van der Ploeg being too tired.
Castañeda opens the sprint in the peloton, they have to ride the last two kilometers 30 seconds faster to win. Matthews and Boev behind him. Nelson and Van Heerder are trying to assemble a sprint train. Haller quite far away and without train.
Wallays has the strongest sprint, and decides to start celebrating with 250 meters to go. The sprinters are inbound, passing the other four. A lot of riders alongside each other, unclear to see who is in front.
After extensive celebrations, Jelle Wallays beats the sprinters in the streets of Ellensburg and wins the final stage!
Boev sprints to second place ahead of Haller, who failed in his mission to get green. Meyer and Van Heerden fourth and fifth. Sepulveda mixing it in the sprint and takes sixth place as a reward. Dahlberg, Nelson, Matthews and Castañeda complete the top ten.
No splits in the peloton, so here's your 2019 Tour of America overall winner: Rafael Valls!
Finishing slightly ahead of him, the winner of the points classification: Adam Yates, sprinting in case Haller won.
Mountains classification goes to Oscar Riesebeek, who spend a lot of time in the breakaway.
Mektel Eyob the best young rider in the race.
Compal-Merida the best team, great team effort from the CT outfit.
And that's it from the States. Thank you for following this race, it's been a pleasure to bring this to you! Take care and see you next time!
