There are a lot of parallel roads here in Jacksonville. Although they will only use one of the bridges, the riders will ride over both roads below them at some point in the race.
An 8 man breakaway was allowed clear including 2 riders from both Ernst&Young and Benfica
Hartleyt, Maya, Belmokhtar, Norris, Swindlehurst, Faria, Power and Sawodogo
Garate punctured early on, but safely made it back to the peleton
The break built a lead but then it started to come down. Last season they were in every breakaway, this season they have reason to chase. Slipstream did most of the early work
Wityh 30km to go, the gap is at 2 minutes when Sulzberger, Mertens and Tankink attack
Slipstream are then swept aside as a few other teams decide to further lift the pace (Look, its the bridges again)
Tankink has caught the break as we reach the hill
Mertens and Sulzberger quickly bridge up on the steep climb but it looks like its all over with the peleton there aswell
But no, Procycling's Downing couldnt close it all off fast enough and a gap emerged again. Gerben Lowik, a 3-star favourite for the race (Alongside Fed-Ex's Allan Davis and Igor Astarloa) attacks.
The climb is steep (Peaking at 20%) and Lowik only just manages to get across
The climb drops in steepness but will continue for a few kilometres at 4%, Pieter Mertens takes advantage and splits the break group.
Burke Swindlehurst and Bram Tankink are with him, while Gatorade B's Belmokhtar is quickly dropped by them.
Further down the slopes and JJ Haedo has slipped to the back of the peleton. Also in a bit of trouble are Fed-Ex's Allan Davis and Igor Astarloa! All 3 are out of contention now.
Back up front and Lowik is taking advantage of teammate Maya from the breakaway as Maya pulls him back towards the leading trio
And they all come together with 5km to go
But again it splits. Mertens and Tankink pull away from the other 3
And they start the sprint
Champion lead the charge behind with Aitor Perez Arrieta aswell as Gerben Lowik. NVidia also have a good presence.
Tankink is swallowed up as Perez Arrieta soars past. Also going quick is Tankink's teammate gGeorge Hincapie, on the other side of the road.
Perez Arrieta pulls himself alongside Mertens
And Soars away to victory! Hincapie 2nd, Mertens 3rd
In 4th place is a Russian who is proving to be the revelation of the season: Ivan Seledkov. Alex Diniz is 5th with Knees 6th and Vasquez 7th.
Duggan and Bajadali take 8th and 9th as Jiminez Sanchez rounds out the top 10
