Big breakaway for the day here as 12 riders take there go Destribois De Gendt Calzoni Krigbaum Sulimov Skivild Piccolo Vabo Louvel Habimana Van Gestel Stork
They grab a gap of over 7 mins by 80km to go
Konrad and Kennaugh have taken the pacemaking duties for most of the course as we settle in for a long run to the two main climbs of the day.
Vabo is the first rider dropped from the break as we go over the first climb of the day the break holds it together well but the gap is down to 3”00 as we crest the climb.
We have a much more calm day then would be expected as Peters takes the pacing up as we hit the 2nd last climb of the day. Lopez and Areruya are extremely well positioned
We got our first big attack Vansevenant goes and he’s followed by Stannard as they go for a long dig we are still 25km to go. Areruya takes up the pacing behind as a lack of teammates for all leaders is showing now.
The break is closed by our leaders as they attack through the break and only Van Gestel is going with our two leaders, we have a 20km the gap is up to “45
Areruya has set a rapid pace up the climb and is putting the whole group in trouble Formolo and Amezawa are sat on his wheel but not giving a single turn while Lopez
Over the top of the climb and Ardila has taken over the pacing over the climb Vansevenant and Stannard are slowing and the gap is down to 20 seconds as we now drop sharply down the 2nd to last climb with only 1 climb to go we have 30 riders in the lead group.
Lutsenko makes the final junction as we come into the last 10km to go. the banner can be seen in the distance we only have our final climb and drop to the finish.
Amezawa and Valter lead us into the final climb Higuita follows them in and we are going full gas into this final hill.
Higuita pulls to the left after sending the pace through the roof and Schmid takes the opportunity to attack on the right hand side. Aranburu and Vansevenant again try to follow.
Schmid is still going and no one currently follows Amezawa and Higuita are still on the front but aren't able to close the gap fully are favourites Lopez and Areruya aren't making moves so far and we aren't far from the top of the climb.
Schmid leads under 5km to go the gap is so small under 10 seconds and Amezawa is still chasing him down with now Hirschi in the best position just on his wheel this is a fast drop to the finish and position is everything.
Here's the positioning and lead group into the sprint Schmid has a small gap on Hirschi we have Amezawa and then Areruya making some ground Lopez and Formolo are out of position and Valter is just about holding the back of the group.
Vansevenant is somehow still in this group and must be on a hell of a day after his efforts.
Schmid with a huge kick under the flame rouge Hirschi can't hold the wheel and has left a big gap as the young swiss rider goes clear. Areruya is finishing fastest and Lopez has an awful position.
Schmid takes it easily and has time to celebrate 2nd in last year's race behind a shock winner and today he goes one better. His superior downhill skill clearly gives him and advantage here giving him the gap to be enough to hold on.
Areruya and Lopez are 2nd and 3rd and save their race but bizarre tactics from both especially the latter who was rarely sighted all day. Formolo pips Hirschi for 4th as he continues his strong season. Vansevenant extremely strong to hold 6th and must have been on of the strongest today but the race situation lets him down.
Higuita is last man in the group in 8th while Valter is dropped in the sprint in 9th but did well to hold on considering his positioning.
Paret-Peintre wins the sprint from the 2nd group for 10th in a bit of a shock. With Lutsenko the biggest loser of the day only 20th and Skujins only 22nd.
Errazkin completes an incredible day for Jura in 14th and a big points haul for them.
[PTHC]Clasica San Sebastian
