Welcome all to the third edition of Clasico San Jose! Unlike the "journalist" that wrote the preview I am aware that we are in fact in Costa Rica, it's a rainy day.
In case you have forgotten what awaits the riders today here’s a refresher of the 200+ km parcours.
First wave of attacks come from a mixed bunch:
Zwift stagaire Rangel is the first person attack from the pack. He’s joined by Würth MODYF sprinter Willwohl who is a bit out of his element today. Sarreau and Blanca Pareja are the two other riders that make the initial 4 man move.
Three more riders instantly makes moves with Murn and Obando trying to keep up with the experienced Insausti
Next wave of attacks come in with Serrano, Theorpanous and Sbaragli trying to catch up to the group of 6 riders 30 seconds ahead of them.
They’re joined by a group of three riders Borg, Reddish and Cepeda
Their move is futile though as the combined work of Gjensidige and Crabbe at the front of the pack means that the second group of 6 riders are reeled in on the first climb.
No more attacks take place which means that we have a group of seven riders that has a gap close to four minutes with 193km to go. The riders are: Rangel, Willwohl, Insausti, Blanca Pareja, Obando, Sarreau and Murn. Not a break that instils fear into the pack as the gap is rising.
As we get into the last 100kms of the race the pack starts to chip away at the lead that at its highest point was above 6 minutes. With 81kms the lead has shrunken to under 4 minutes.
As we enter the final 40kms of the race the breakway has exploded and the first riders are slowly but surely getting reeled in. Wilwohl is the first casualty of the day.
And as the German is about to get absorbed by the peloton one of the outsiders for the race win makes his attack with 41.5kms to go! Lafay makes an explosive move at the top of on the many climbs, just before a massive descent. Move is easily shutdown by Skjerping. However, if he has to shut down every move from here until the finish line then it could leave Eiking exposed!
Meanwhile in the front of the race Rangel and Murn are the two riders with the biggest gap. Their lead stands at 1’44” to the pack. The remaining breakees are scattered between them and the pack.
In the pack the majority of the work is being done by Gjensidige and Hilcona, does Morin have a great day?
With 26.5km to go it’s over for the break. 26kms and 3 climbs are what remains for riders. The pack is still not massively reduced and stands a massive 130 riders as we see Adidas and the Coyotees taking over the control of the pack.
23 kilometres remain as Lafay opens up for another attack. This time around it is not shut down immediately, although no one is following it either. As he passes the top his gap stands around 20 seconds. However, he is quickly brought back before the bottom of the descent by Delco with 15km to go.
With 14kms to on the flat section with a move is made by Dieteren. In his wheel we find: Vogt, Mutsumine, Jensen, Eiking and Le Gac! The move does not result in a gap as Delco shuts them down yet again, a massive domestique performance today from the Swiss rider! The cameras missed it but great work regardless!
Slightly before the penultimate climb with just under 10km to go Rota tries to make a move together with Tarvis but is unsuccessful.
This move has however meant that the pack has split into two and some big names are currently in the second pack: Watson, Duchesne, Zordan, Mayer & Lagane. The gap is only 26 seconds but this is not ideal for those riders!
At the front of the race a surprising face makes a move Rhim opens up and is followed by Mutsumine, Hindley, Vogt and Dieteren
That move does not create a gap between themselves and the pack. However Vendrame attacks slightly before the foot of the penultimate climb and creates a small gap.
That gap is however shut down at the foot of the penultimate climb with 6.7kms to go. As Dieteren leads the 17 man group of favourites up the climb.
Over the top Edmondson and Teuns try to create a gap. But fail.
Over the top of the penultimate climb reigning champion Vliegen makes a move for it and this acceleration reduces the group to 13 riders. These are: Vliegen, Villella, Sirironnachai, Teuns, Lafay, Eiking, Jensen, Morin, Vogt, Hugentobler, Quevedo, Edmondson & Barbin.
Two kilometres left of the Clasico San Jose as the riders can see the flame rouge at the bottom of the final climb. Edmondson is struggling to keep up.
Quevedo is the first to make a move!
However, he is unable to create distance and now it’s the big favourite Eiking’s turn to make a move and it looks like it could be the decisive one!
Despite a massive early acceleration from the Norwegian he is unable to drop his opponents as Jensen takes the lead with 400 metres to go! Eiking is behind him. Edmondson, Lafay and Villella all still have a chance to take the victory!
AND THE DANE HAS DONE IT! Jensen takes the victory with a well timed sprint to the line! Sensational 2nd place for Lafay who was incredibly active earlier on in the race. A somewhat disappointing third place for Eiking who blew his load a little too early. Edmondson manages to recover to a fourth despite his woes at the start of the final climb and Villella takes home a very solid 5th place. Mario Vogt’s hills woes continues as he takes home a disappointing 20th place, he was nowhere near the front for these decisive moves. The top 10 is rounded off by Morin, Hugentobler, Teuns, Barbin and Duchesne.
