While all French riders are in Paris, all Italians are here. The race kicks off with a flat stage, containing a few bumps though, and with 165km it's not long.
If it'll be a sprint, Bennati is the obvious favourite, riding in his home country, but with the hills near the finish, a break would stand a chance.
There's many attacks in the first part of the race, but most are neutralized by various teams in the pack. After a while though, a groupe gets permission to go. Let's see who's there, Bellis, Hutchings, Chtioui, Gretsch, Capecchi, Martin and Meier, while van de Walle closes the gap before long.
At the first and only intermediate sprint, it seems an easy go for Bellis, but he doesnt have the energy to take the final 50 centimeters to pass Gretsch. Meirer is third.
Up the first hill it's Vespa speeding up in the pack to make sure the break stays within reach, while up front Bellis has attacked for the KOM points, and he isnt challenged by anyone else. This climber also caused the first sprinter to be dropped, including Rasmussen, Clerc and Kip.
In the descent, there's three rider in the pack who've descided this is the moment to attack; Lobato, Klier and Maes. The latter two are caugth soon though, going up the second hill.
At the top of the second hill, Bellis takes the points again. Behind him, only Capecchi and Martin where able to follow him up the hill.
At the foot of the last hill, Lobato is caugth again by the pack, and since the three riders up front only have 1'30 left, Bellis descides it's time to go alone and attacks. Meanwhile, more sprinters are in trouble, including Vantomme and Loddo.
Bellis takes the final KOM as well, taking the jersey comfortably with it. Behind him, the pack caugth up with Capecchi and Martin which leaves 3 and 1 KOM points up for grabs. Bettini takes them in front of Mandri, while Boom is left empty handed.
With 12km to go, and the finish already in sigth, Bellis is caugth by the work of Vespa and Le Credit Lyonnais. The hills caused many riders to be dropped, as only 71 riders remain in the pack.
In the preparation of the sprint, there's only two trains, and a soloist: Ulissi is alone on the left side of the road, while on the other side Santambrogio leads out Bennati and Roelandts, followed by Bernucci leading out Napolitano, Hushovd, Sonnery and Pozzato. Bernucci isnt anywhere near strong enough though.
At 4km Ulissi has sneaked away from the rest, and while Santambrogio did a good job bringing his leader up front, Bernucci failed but only Sonnery and Pozzato pass him.
With Ulissi taking 20 seconds, back in the pack the sprint starts very unorganized. Santambrogio is failing as well, and it's now three non-sprinters leading the groupe: Cherel, Pozzovivo and Rogers.
Just before the flag of the final kilometer though, Hushovd, Bennati and Roelandts woke up, and they power away like the rest are amateurs, gaining in quickly on Ulissi.
And it's Bennati who was the strongest today, confirming his status as favourite. Roelandts is a solid second while Hushovd completes the podium.
- Due to a crash, here's only a part of the results, handtyped -
