We're here in Izola to witness what will hopefully be an exciting and action packed 146km. Interestingly, the bookmakers have seen some outside bets on Russo and Alaphilippe (due to copyright infrengement, we are unable to share this with you). The top puncheurs will want to ensure these guys aren't there as they go under the kite!
The riders have barely left where they will return today for the finish and already we have early attempts to get away.
Still 113km to go but we have a settled breakaway. They have a gap of 2'45 to the Peloton. There is a rider in the middle but he'll likely be sucked up by the Peloton. Munyaneza Johansen Lazkano Gilanipoor, Martino Iino Engelhardt Morales Ortega Matsangos, Karatsivis Fejes Garcia
100km remaining and we have a few teams doing the work at the front of the Peloton. The gap is down to 2'15. The rider just in-front is Domene who was the earlier mentioned rider to have been dropped from the front.
It's still early on but we're seeing splits form in the lead-up to the finish line over the final hill. Potentially a good sign that we'll have an exciting finish!?
75km to go. The gap is only 1'36. Martino can't keep up with the rest of the breakaway and is on his way back to the Peloton.
60km and the gap is still around 1'30. Slightly unusual as we start to see some attacks! Boudat is the first to go and he's followed by Schmid.
The Peloton doesn't like this but Doubey decides to give it a go anyway and passes the former 2. The gap between this newly formed trio and the breakaway is only 47 seconds.
44km to go for the Peloton which continues to split up to a group of 42 and become a group of 91 again and again. The breakaway putting in a resistance right now though as a lead group of 8 riders has a 1'10 gap.
Tafjord Kraft seem relieved as other teams come to the front to do the chasing in the form of Bianchi and BNZ while Eddie Stobart have been near the front all day. The gap with 30km to go is back to 43 seconds.
A real pace up the hill from the Peloton results in the breakaway being caught with 25km to go. Will we see any attacks in the next 20km or are the riders thinking energy conservation for the finish?
Splits again as the front group only consists of 44 riders! Some lieutenants likely caught out.
9km and we see the first real attack which comes from Alaphilippe which is a surprise as he's possibly the fastest rider in this 38 man group. The other favourites are right on his wheel!
Only 5km to go as Alaphilippe goes for it again! This time he went as the group slowed down and he looks to have caught out them out. Could this be decisive?
3km remaining now and the Frenchman remains ahead! However he now has a very strange trio chasing him down of Jans, Hoelgaard and Russo. The other favourites look like they're setting up for a sprint.
2.3km and it's Jans who is leading the race now with Russo and Alaphilippe right behind him.
24 second behind this group is a 10 man group who aren't looking good to contest for the win.
500m now and the sprint between this front 4 is on as they turn towards the finish!
You won't see many tighter finishes than this one but it's Clement Russo who wins the GP Izola! He just pips it in front of his countryman, Alaphilippe, who is 2nd ahead of Jans.
Hoelgaard is a clear 4th.
Vliegen benefits from his position going into the final turn and just holds on for 5th ahead of Grosser and Aregger. Wackermann, Luchshenko and Edmonson round out the Top 10. Meyer is 11th, Hagen 12th, Olei 13th and Boswell 14th.
Those who put their bets on the 2 Frenchman were duly rewarded! A surprise result for some but a great win for Bonduelle - Eesti Energia and their man, Clement Russo!
GP Izola - Race Report 
