Yesterday pretty much all the sprinters went for the intermediate sprints. But perhaps influenced by the result at the end yesterday, they are not doing so again. This gives Crescenzo D'Almore an easy chance to take 6 points and 6 seconds, ahead of De Fauw and Westling
A breakaway then emerged: Sebastian Balck, Ciaran Cassidy and Arkaitz Duran. The first two are riding in their first management game seasons, while Duran rode for Saunier Duval (now Accumalux) in 2007.
The intermediate sprint could be interesting as none of them hold a sprint stat over 59. Cassidy takes it.
Its not all good for Cassidy though - dropped by the other 2 with 42km to go
Cassidy refuses to give in, and catches up again with 24km to go
Thats just in time for the next sprint on 22km to go, and he storms to the front to take it
20km to go - and the gap is still 3 minutes. There's potential here.
Its still 3 minutes with 12km to go! Recognising a great opportunity, Duran attacks!
Balck and Cassidy hesitate, and Duran pulls out a gap
He is really going for it now
The gap is pegged at 20 seconds - but they cant seem to close it down. The peleton are still 2 minutes behind Cassidy and Balck with 4km to go!
And now they sprint, perhaps the last chance to catch up Duran
Balck leaves Cassidy behind in pursuit of the Spaniard
But it is too late to prevent Duran continuing Santander's dream start to the season
Ahmad Haidar Anuawar charges home ahead of Cameron Meyer for 4th place - the gap in the end was reduced to just under a minute.
