The opening stage seems to be the most difficult as well. Lots of cobbles, lots of climbing and a field, that really could set a high pace.
Summerhill the obvious favourite being challenged by the Belgiums Vanspeybrouck and Vanbilsen while also Spengler, Baugnies, Debesay etc. are listed high.
The mix of cobbles and hills surely make this less predictable than other classic stages.
For the pure sprinters, it`s about surviving the day to get 3 chances on the following days. For some such as Saber, Van Asbroeck even the GC is possible when they avoid big time loss today.
2-3 riders around Naud or Gaudin tried it for quite some time early on but in the end the peloton chased too much until all teams were happy.
In the end 8 riders in the break: Aasvold Crncevic Lhotellerie (76) Arissol (72) O'Loughlin Matsumoto Gallego Martin Kosic (77)
In brackets the cobbled stat, which could make this break interesting really.
Behind Andorra, Carlsberg and Volvo the main teams to chase. With Summerhill, Vanspeybrouck and Stallaert their leaders belong to the best.
First problems for a favourite.
UBS` Spengler with a puncture and now behind the peloton with all of the team waiting for him. Not an ideal time really as the speed went up recently with the cobbles at halftime.
Also some other cobblers already showed some problems as Machado, Sinkeldam, Kulppi, Chatarunga or Kuroeda already were dropped at times despite being decent on paper.
With 70km to go Volvo really accelerated and the peloton did split into pieces. Just 45 riders left with the best and this was an awful timing for those mentioned before.
UBS just made it back to them but were in the later part of the peloton only and are yet again dropped.
Same for some other strong cobblers including Ferreira or Havik and also Fenn or Tsatsevich or Sibilla!
And we have the next victim! Last years winner Baugnies behind the peloton and this is the biggest surprise yet. Drucker with him and also some other strong riders including Eeckhout, Van der Haar and just a bit ahead also last year`s 4th in Breen!
And it goes on with Zepuntke losing contact.
This is far earlier than the Minions had surely expected. Different to UBS though they have still riders in front, who are apparently not waiting as one of them is their sprinter Vantomme!
Tiller and Sweeck not stopping though and with Stallaert sitting right behind them, it`s looking quite good for them as they seem to be in great shape.
Right behind them Vanspeybrouck and Summerhill looking good as well.
So are Debesay, Rowe for Xero as also Maes, Nolf, Vanbilsen, Albert, Vantomme, Saber, Bush, Van Asbroeck, Verhelst, Harrison, Kireva, Lindeman, Van der Velde, Marcos and Joseph.
So lots of Minions and Lierse riders alongside couple others, who are mainly isolated. Feng being solo right behind making it back and dropping again.
In the break the two cobblers clearly stronger as expected. With 40km to go they are leading the race but the favourite group just 1min behind.
Quickly afterwards the Campari rider also got rid of the last companion and tries to go solo against the favs.
Not getting easier though as we have the first attacks from behind.
Nolf and Maes the first to show something.
Vanspeayboruck and Summerhill themselves moving ahead of the Volvo trip to chase now.
Actually their chasing opened a gap and just Stallaert was attentive enough to join them.
So it`s a trio now behind Nolf/Maes and the rest of the break.
A quick overview. Breen/Ferreira (still ahead of Spengler/Zepuntke) not yet to give up but the gap is big already.
16 riders left in the peloton as Kireva and Feng were dropped with Albert/Saber/Vantomme and Xero working.
The strong work of Minions/Xero/Saber almost brings them all back with the groups in front fusion more or less.
Just Lhotellerie and Nolf still a bit ahead.
Though another team now struggling. The whole quartet of Lierse behind now and apparently they are waiting for Van Asbroeck after being dropped. This includes Vanbilsen, who surely should go for his own GC instead!
Maes is up to Nolf, who is up to Lhotellerie.
Kosic a bit behind with the GC riders all together now.
50s already for the Lierse group and still 20km to go.
After the Mur with 16km to go though the break is totally caught.
Summerhill and Vanspeybrouck climbed the cobbles incredibly fast and behind a lot of them are struggling.
In fact next to Nolf/Maes, who had the advantage of starting the climb earlier only Debesay/Rowe for Xero alongside Stallaert made it with the top riders.
Behind a trio around Saber/Vantomme/Albert, then Lhotellerie with the Vanbilsen group following with 1'20 now also including lots of the dropped riders from the former peloton.
Van Asbroeck actually dropped again and time will tell if Vanbilsen is waiting this time as well!
Well quick answer, yes, he is waiting and let the others go.
Also Maes and Nolf have to let the others go. Their earlier attempt now works against them.
Only 5 left for the stage it seems.
Behind Saber solo now having dropped Albert and Vantomme.
And while having 2 in the front was an advantage, the other three are simply strronger. So also Debesay and Rowe are dropped at the same time! Still with 6km to go they could both get a high GC by the look of it as the gap to the next is at 2min already.
The top 3 almost under the Flamme Rouge and it`s going uphill on the paves yet again.
Summerhill about to attack with Stallaert as best sprinter waiting in last position.
But neither him nor Vanspeybrouck able to follow this uphill acceleration.
The US rider takes the win and is on a good way for their win goal! Well done to Andorra.
Stallaert`s sprint then for 2nd ahead of Vanspeybrouck.
20 and 29 seconds are counted, which is quite a gap for the last climb. All three of them though the big favourites for the final podium now gaining 2min on the next.
And Stallaert actually with chances to improve with sprint bonus seconds!
Xero looking good for a 4/5 with Nolf/Maes next ahead of a strong Marcos in 8th as best Minion with Tiller and Sweeck completing a strong Volvo performance.
Vantomme as best pure spritner on a strong 14th still with Saber following. But with 7min both far from sprint bonuses.
Vanbilsen as 19th, Spengler as 35th as worst GC riders.
Lots of riders out of the race including some highlighted sprinters. Mainly Enger and Salleh. But also lots of sprint trains for the others.
