Welcome to the racing circuit of Albert Park, in the streets of Melbourne, for the opening race of the 2019 PCT season, and the first HC event of the year. 14 laps around the circuit, for a total of 75,3 kms. Who will succeed Erik Mohs in the palmares of this race?
Everything is set for the start... Lights out and away we go!
First attacks come from Groselj and Rodrigues
Some riders are trying to reach the leading duo, like Orlov, Kulppi or Kopfauf, but the high pace in the race won't allow them to stay between groups for long, and would eventually being brought back by the bunch
Groselj is the strongest of the breakaway duo, and with 34 kms to go (8 laps to go), he drops Rodrigues and tries to go solo now. Meanwhile, Muhlberger has attempted to make it to this group, but so far his attempt is unsuccesfull
But Groselj's solo adventure wouldn't last for long, as with still 20 kms left in the race, the bunch finally caught him. Time for the teams to start setting up their trains
The "ring" of the final laps is being heard as the riders pass by the finish line for the final time before the sprint. Less than 6 kms to go, and so far it's Europcar dominating things, with 6 riders between the first 10 of the group. No other team is trying to challenge them, as it seems like other sprinters are happy with sitting on Lo Cicero's wheel and work from there
That's what we talked about in our race preview!! Rowe with a big daring move in the final 5 kms! Europcar seems to be very well set-up, but can the Welshman make it to the end?
Surely won't help Rowe that Tennant is trying to go after him, but his nule punch is making him look like he's just being another team-mate for Lo Cicero. Vanbilsen following Tennant, and next to him are Feng, Arashiro and Sakala, all of them that were mentioned in our preview!
Europcar has four men in line, led by Tybor and Aberasturi, and Modolo and Lo Cicero as the final guys for the sprint. Guarnieri and Degenkolb seem to be fighting for the Italian's wheel, as the winner of this "battle" could well be the race winner
Not looking good for Rowe now, his advantage is very slim, "thanks" to Tennant, who now drops back disappointed.
Coming back to the sprinters, Guarnieri has won the "battle" for Lo Cicero's wheel, and Degenkolb comes as big loser, as also Avelino has gone through. Kip, Saber and Makismov are well positioned, with Ciolek appearing shortly in the left side of the screen
Better luck next time for Luke Rowe... He's got caught just when Modolo takes over and might just start to do the lead-out for Lo Cicero. It also looks like Saber is trying to advance some places, in order to put himself in Degenkolb's wheel
More than a ead-out, it looks like Modolo is going himself for the race win! It's unsure if Lo Cicero is trying to purpousedly leave a gap for others to close, or if there was mis-comunication between lead-out and sprinter.
Modolo goes through the final chicane and is entering the last 500 metres in a very good position for himself! It seems like only 5 other riders can challenge the Italian for the race win today; his team-mate Lo Cicero, Guarnieri, Avelino, Degenkolb and Saber. Anyone else is too far already to comeback at this point
Modolo is starting to slow down with 200 metres to go! And it's not his team-mate the one is the prime position anymore, it's Guarnieri, who is looking like the strongest challenger for the win right now! Degenkolb has the speed, but has some ground to cover to get even to Guarnieri...
Surely Modolo isn't going to win the race, as Guarnieri is taking the lead from him with just 100 metres left. But can the Italian hold his speed to get a big win in Albert Park?
Yes he does! Jacopo Guarnieri is the winner of the 2019 Down Under Classic!! Amazing way for his team, Delvaux, to start his maiden season in PCT!
Degenkolb sprints to second place today. Not what he was looking for, but still a decent showing
"Disaster" for Europcar, as at the end both Modolo and Lo Cicero finish last of the 6-rider group that fought for the win today. The final podium spot goes to Avelino, who denies Saber of a podium finish, just like it happened to the Moroccan in 2018
Kip with a great seventh place makes his contract already worth for Andorra, beating Ciolek, Vanderbiest and 2016 winner Kupfernagel, who all get a Top10 spot in the race. Outside of it we see Lay, Maksimov and Rowe, who incredibly managed to sprint to a decent result after his late attack.
Big disappointment for both Mohs and Cavendish, as neither can crack the Top15 today
Now we see Jacopo Guarnieri in the podium as he gets the trophy of race winner here in Melbourne! The Italian starts the season in the same level as he finished it in 2018; winning!
