Paris-Bruxelles is looking odd this year. Tomas Vaitkus being one of the biggest favourites, France TV showing up with only two riders, only 144 riders showing up in total and no Boonen in sight.
Our first two contenders today: Sabatini (Nintendo) and Kennaugh (Virgin Media).
They peak with almost 8 minutes some 122 kilometers from goal with Festina leading the chase.
With 66 kilometers to go off this season's most boring race so far, someone is attacking: Joly (Eurosport), Celestino (Warner Bros), McGee (American Suzuki) and De Vocht (Magenta)
De Vocht gets wheeled back in while the three others connect with the breakaway. The gap is not big, and Laurens Ten Dam attacks to capitalize on that. He drags Coyot (Erste) and Mandri (Credit Lyonnais) with him.
Oh, and Jussi Veikanen has a flat.
Mapei is quick to react with a powerful relay and neutralizes the break.
The burst of speed have caused 15 riders to drop off the back: Most notable Alex Rasmussen (Virgin Media) and five Credit Lyonnais riders. They rejoin the pack a few kilometers later.
40 kilometers to go and Andreas Klier is off. Ten Dam counterattacks a bit too late and doesnt get a gap.
Klier holds the pack off for 12 kilometers but fails.
10 kilometers to go: Cancellara and Gilbert both looked like they were going to attack for a second.
The three kilometer mark: Napolitano on teammates wheel: Hushovd on McEwen's wheel and McEwen on Vaitkus wheel. Petacchi on Lastras wheel instead of Engels.
700 meters to go: Pozzato being passed by Napolitano. Grillo is going fast in 3rd. Petacchi right behind Pozzato. Vaitkus side-by-side with Petacchi. Hushovd on Vaitkus' wheel.
And Napolitano takes an easy sprint win! Grillo barely inches out Pozatto for second! Petacchi fourth and Vaitkus fifth.
And then someone spilled coffee into the machine, causing it to crash without the results. Thank you Cyanide.
The following result is certified by SportingNonsense as being accurate and correct.
