Welcome to the Faroe Islands for a 174k run around Torshavn.
The punchy sprinters dominate the top of the favorites along with Kennaugh and Silvestre
The break doesn’t take long to form, 8 kms in and a 12-rider break has 2’54. They are: Mugisha, Mugisha Agostini, De Tier Papanov, Sibilla Moricz Bugge, Hjemsaeter Herrera, Rivera, Rojas
12 riders but only 6 teams, and not a typo, both Mugishas in the break for Bralirwa
99k to go for the peloton. The lead hovered around 3’30 for rmuch of the early race but is not down to 2’20. Los Pollos, Carrefour, Binance, Minions and Aker all contributing.
73k to go. The back of the peloton has been splitting over the climb the last few times and then rejoining. To make it harder there is all a 40k wind. At the moment the peloton is together but the riders at the back are strung out. The break’s lead is 1’59.
59k to go and for the first time a group splits off the front of the peloton. Minions, Cedevita and Los Pollos well represented. This will probably not last but the riders are going to be tired at the end of the day.
30k to go for the peloton, Sibilla’s day in the break is over. The peloton has split and reformed multiple times. Right now 76 riders in the front group with another group at 1’01 and another at 1’31. Up front De Tier has attacked the break and has 19 second lead over the remaining 10 and 55 seconds over the peloton.
18k to go, the breakaway is down to Papanov, Hjemsaeter and Rojas. But they are about to get company as Yzeiraj, Juul-Jensen and Katrasnik attack from the peloton. The peloton currently split and only 19 riders in the front group to chase.
The bell lap is about to start (13.5k) The lead of the front 6 grew to 49 seconds but is back down to 30 seconds, the cooperation up front hasn’t been great and the chase is now organized.
At the same time the chase group is back to 51 riders. With another 20 riders at 55 seconds and another 25 at 1’37. Most notable rider missing at the front is Ackermann who is in the next group on the road, although Dzervus is still in the front group for Popo. All of cycleYorkshire’s sprinters have missed the split, only Hayter present for them.
12k to go and the catch is made. They are about to start the climb again.
With the catch made the pace eases off and the Ackermann group rejoins. Cullaigh also in that group.
No action on the hill, but as they cross the top, Van der Haar and Juul-Jensen attack.
4.3k, those two have a small gap and have been joined by De Bondt, he likes this race. Calmejane also trying to come across. Aker Mot on the front, many of the sprinters are isolated at this point.
That group is caught and with the 1k banner in site it is Yzeiraj. Aker-Mot don’t really have a sprinter they have been trying to set up an attack like this.
500 meters for Yzeiraj, but it doesn’t look good for him as the sprinters are coming on the left. Kennaugh on the rail with De Bondt next to him. Behind Kennaugh are Vesely and Manninen. The next two are Guarnieri and Kreder. Then McEvoy, Katrasnik and Van Asbroeck. Van Stayen and Kump are probably too far back at this point.
300 meters Yzeiraj isn’t going to win.
100 meters Kennaugh is holding a bike length lead.
He gets the win for Binance.
2nd to Vesely, then Manninen and De Bondt gets 4th. One place below last year but still a great result for him. 5th, 6th and 7th go to Guarnieri, Yzeiraj and Van Asbroeck.
