We had an interesting stage yesterday with a lot of the overall favourites being very active in the finale. Looking at today’s profile this could be even more interesting. Sibila Romero of Dasani is the surprise leader and his team will definitely work very hard today to keep the leader’s jersey.
To no surprise the day was kicked off with a lot of attacks. Christian Salerno put in a particular powerful effort as he went solo over the first KoM Sprint, taking 20 points, meaning he is now the virtual leader in that competition.
A group of 9 riders would form behind him to chase him down. In this group we have Maya, Klinger, Tizza, Bajadali, Albert, Lewis, Hungerbühler, Bole, Magalhães.
Salerno would keep on going as he still has a small advantage over the 2nd KoM Sprint.
Dasani – Hincapie Sportswear is not comfortable with the situation and they have gone to the front by themselves to control the deficit.
Sibila Romero watches over his team-mates.
On the 2nd categorized climb which Salerno won, the chasing group left 4 riders behind and the remnants of the group would catch up with Salerno shortly after. The riders dropped were Hungerbühler, Tizza, Klinger and Bole.
On the 3rd categorized climb on the stage which looks like the toughest yet, Bajadali attacks!
It doesn’t really work and the six leaders come back together, but back in the pack something interesting happens when Fed-Ex’s Co-captain Levi Leipheimer attacks.
He puts in a very strong effort as two other riders who also attacked were far from keeping up with the American. When the dust settles the lead isn’t that big though.
Shaun Lewis takes the 3rd KoM Sprint at the top of the climb ahead of Salerno and Magalhães and in the descend two of the earlier dropped riders, Hungerbühler and Tizza, make their way across again.
With 60 kilometres to go the six leaders have 3’35 on the pack. Leipheimer has about one minute on the pack, but 15 kilometres later he is reeled in alongside Salgueiro and Rodas who attacked a bit later and Bole and Klinger from the early break.
Salerno solidifies his KoM lead as he also wins the 4th KoM Sprint, and the break hits the final climb with some 19 kilometres left with 2’02 on the pack. This is going another close one!
Leipheimer has recovered from his earlier efforts has he hits the front in the peloton and the gap is coming down rapidly!
Bajadali takes the win in the final KoM Sprint, but in the descend disaster strucks for Dasani with 10 kilometres to go. Race Leader, Sibila Romero, has crashed!
They immediately drop back riders to help out, but this is doomed to fail. With 5 kilometres to go the gap is down to 49 seconds!
Andrew Bajadali leads out the sprint as it looks like the break will make it. His B-Teammate, Hungerbühler doesn’t sprint and that’s helping the American, he is opening up a gap!
Will Bajadali finally get revenge from that stage last year when he was incorrectly degraded to second place on a stage?
But now Hungerbühler comes!
He has Niels Albert in his wheel and they’re coming very fast. Bajadali opened up very early and he is beat. Hungerbühler overtakes him in the final metres, as he beats a rider from his A-Team.
What a performance by Hungerbühler as he was dropped earlier. He could have secured himself a place on the Slipstream A-Team with this effort. A phenomenal day for Slipstream is round off with Bajadali taking over the overall lead as a consolation prize.
Another rider who needs consolation is Sibilia Romero who crosses the line 2’39 later.
The pack came in 34 seconds after Hungerbühler, meaning the riders from the break who wasn’t dropped yesterday will move to the top of the GC.
