The riders are coming out of the team busses and moving to the podium where they have to sign the startlist. Meanwhile, many interviews are taken and many autographs are given.
Wielinga, Mouris and Marzano turn out to be the strongest attackers, but with 7 pink riders, along with a few Festina riders chasing them, they don't really stand a chance.
When they're caugth, it doesnt take long for more attacks to come. This time, they are given green light.
Mouris is there again, he must have a good day. Along with him its Agnoli, Stevic, Perget, Duggan, Vangenechten and Brandt who make it into the early break.
It is still Gazetta with Festina controlling the pack. After a while, Festina descides to stop helping though.
Except Bennati, who clearly is the team leader today, all 7 men from La Gazetta keep on relaying, making sure the gap doesnt get above 6'30. They may be wasting energy now, which they could use better in the second part of the race.
On the Passo di Turchino, the pack descides its been enough and Gazzetta, Festina and Philips start boosting up the pace. The lead of the break has quickly shrunk to 4'00 on the top of the Turchino, going through the famous tunnel. This due to the high pace from Di Luca and S. Sanchez.
In the descent of the Turchino, it's Matteo Bono who's crashed. Luckly he only takes 4 domestiques down with him from different teams.
They won't see the pack again this race though, the speed is up! Most likely because they want to me home in time to watch their favourite tv show; the break isnt of any danger at all.
Finally! Here is the first atack of the favourites.
Let's see who it is... It's the World Champion, and last years Milano - SanRemo winner, Franco Pellizotti!
Does he know there is still 90km to go? Most other rider do it seems, as only Jacobs follows.
The pack speeds up even more, and the initial break only has 2 minutes left.
With two against the pack, it's an impossible mission, and they are cuagth shortly after.
This triggers andother bunch of attacks though. Biggest names here are Roelants and the British champion, Jonathan Bellis. This last one is by far the strongest of the groupe, and while all others are caugth thanks to Warner Brothers and B&O, Bellis starts a long solo.
We've now reached the top of the first of the three Capi, the Capo Mele. Although Bellis is still up front, he lost most of his lead on the hill and he is caugth in the descent.
Then, nothing happens on the second Capo, the Cervo.
We've got to wait until the Capo Bertha for the next attack.
Oh my is that... Yes it is! It's Bellis again!!! Does he have neverending powers?
W've now reached the foot of the big climb of today; Pompeiana. 7.1 km at 6.8 avarage. At the foot, Bellis is still in the lead, but he never got more then 30 seconds.
Looking at who is relaying in the pack, Bellis should be catched again soon; Bakelants, Snachez and Di Luca are just a few names that are giving it all they've got.
A few kilometres up the climb it's Samuel Sanchez pulling so hard, the sprinters have to let go! Bennati is in the third part of the pack, while Hushovd only does a little bit better in the second part. This causes Sanchez and di Luca to drop back, and the pace with them. Bellis' lead grows to 40 seconds.
As we've reached the top of the final climb, Bellis still has about 40 seconds. Behind him a second groupe has formed: Ballan, Boeasson Hagen, Pellizotti, Chavanel, Bakelants, Steegmans, Pozzato, Grivko and Gadret are there.
The pack is another 30 seconds back.
With the 10km arch in sigth, the chase groupe has nearly caugth up with Bellis. In the pack, Sanchez and di Luca get only very little help. Only Burghardt and Cancellara are helping. Even Hushovd does one relay, he doesnt have a choice if he wants to win!
Meanwhile, the remainsings of the pack have split up even more. Everyone you'd expect to be in the second chase groupe, is there though.
Bellis - 16' - Chase Groupe - 36' Chase Groupe 2
It looked so good for the groupe, but with just under 8km to go, they are cauth! It's altogether again.
They all seem tired though as Bennati is far back with Davis and Roelants in his wheel. Hushovd cant really get up front either.
And with 3km left, there's another split! Sanchez, Hagen, Pozzato, Ballan and Steemans have a gap to the rest of the groupe. Surely, one of these will take the victory?
2km, PIPO POZZATO IS OFF! Nobody has an answer to that! If he doesnt crash, puncture, or hit the wall, he's good. What could possibly go wrong?
- Sidenote again: Remember, it's Pozzato who is riding for Le Credit Lyonnais, but wears a Europsort jersey due to an error in the man-game DB. We're still sorry for that -
No crash - No puncture - No nothing. Pozzato takes the win in the streets of San Remo. Behind him, Steegmans holds on to second in front of Ballan.
The sprint of the rest; Chavanels leads them in in front of Hushovd. Bellis takes 9th, which can be considered a little dissapointing, seeing what a race he's ridden.
Note the stupid tactics of both Festina and Gazzetta as Sanchez and Di Luca ended up in front of their sprinters, despite chasing for the whole race.
Thank you for enjoying this race, here's the full result.
