Today's hilly profile will separate the contenders from the not-so-fast-contenders.
Pearl Jam had the races overall leader at the start of the day and they were very picky about who went up the road.
4 will contest the first KoM: The order which they crest the summit is Baliani (Champion) Sladkov(Nippo) Martinez Trinidad(Zenmind) and Steensen(B&O)
These four will become the main break of the day though many dangle behind. Breakaways have tended to do well this race... can the favorites get it right this time?
Over the second KoM it is Baliani, Sladkov, Steensen and Martinez Trinidad. The break have 10 minutes. Back in the pack the pace is so easy that even US Champion and track star Michael Friedman issitting in comfortabley
Pearl Jam keep careful watch over the pack and with 70 km's to go the gap is 8 minutes.
30km's later its Steensen who starts the first of the Cat and Mouse. He attacks and only Martinez Trinidad can follow.
The Third KoM is Martinez Trinidad, Steensen and Baliani.
The Pace has lifted in the pack in reaction to the news of the hotting up race up front. Jeandesbosz is dropped!
16 Km's to go several riders attack from the favorites group. De Greef, Valjavec Albert, and Vandenbroeck slip away!
The rest of the favorites chase!
On the descent Meersman and Frischkorn crash!
At the bottom of the Mur de Huy Steensen is all alone with 1 minute to the group of 4 chasers!
And as the 3rd chase group (Hitherto called the Jaques-Maynes group ie his high(est) GC placing) hits the climb Kreuziger of B&O attacks!
It takes a while but Ben Jaques-Maynes responds! quick to follow is Slipstream's Tom Zirbel!
The Valjavec group is gaining fast on Steensen but Steensen still has a gap going into the final 400 meters!
But its just too far for the Dane! He is passed by Valjavec and Vandenbroeck!
But Valjavec takes the win win for Ernst and Young!
A hard charging Kreuziger passes his teamate Steensen for third while Rovny (also B&O) rounds out the top 5.
GC: This will blow your mind! Ben J-M takes the lead while Vandenbroeck second. Jeandesbosz holds on to the podium, Kreuziger is 4th, Valjavec 5th and Erik Hoffman of all people is 6th!
