The first stage is, except the TT, the shortest with 168km. But, it’s by far the most important. Anyone going for the GC must be good today, as big gap scan occur over the cobbels. Franzoi, Hoste and Blythe are the favourites today, and although the Nivdea team looks strong, half of their squad consists of climbers like Caruso. One can wonder that they’re doing here, so there’s enough chances for other teams.
Into the race, the first attack is immediatly the right one, as Petrie-Armstrong gets away. He’s followed by Fenn, McEvoy and Leukemans. This last one tears apart the groupe right away on a hill though, as he’s by far the strongest in this groupe.
This happens again on the first categorized hill where Leukemans takes the points and starts what would become a long solo. The other three come together behind him, but will never catch up. The pack is already 6’00 behind.
Crossing the finishline for the first time we’ve got another 3 laps to go. Leukemans has now 1’20 on his three chases and this is still getting bigger. The pack is at 7’20.
Leukemans’ teammate Forero is the first to puncture on the cobbels. He does this at a very bad moment though, and will end up doing the final 2/3 of the race alone.
Because as the gap is now over 9 minutes with 100km left, Franzoi starts to relay in the pack. And this combined with the wind means there’s a split in the pack!
20km + 2 laps left, as we see who’s caugth in the wrong groupe: Bakhari, Blythe, Freire, Paolini, Haussler, Boucher and Caruso are just some of the names, and Casper is even further behind in another small groupe.
Now a small groupe, lead by Franzoi, just rides off the front! The second peleton in the rear meanwhile has trouble getting back.
But luckly fort hem, they re-gain contact on a hill with Franzoi still having a small gap, but in the decent everything gets together again.
Leukemans now is 2’30 in front of Fenn, who’s dropped McEvoy and Petrie-Armstrong who are 4’40 behind the stages leader. The pack still has 8 minutes to cross.
The wind is still there and Franzoi once again strechtes the pack, the are some bursts!
And new groupes have formed: Franzoi + Hoste (Nvidea), Quinziato + Cappelle (Vespa), Wellens + Vansummeren (NOS), Rowe (Wiggle), Terpstra (IrnBru) and de Maar (AON) are off, although there’s still 80km and 7’00 left.
A little while later, the Hoste groupe caugth up with McEvoy and Petrie-Armstrong as they can see Fenn riding, who’s 5’40 behind Leukemans.
Behind them, Bakari triest o save his day, but he’s too late. The pack is now 1’40 behind the favourites groupe. Still 70km to go, as Pfannberger crashed, but get’s up again as if nothing happend.
As Terpstra is dropped up front, some riders attack in the pack, but this doesnt have any results. They don’t get big gaps, are eventally caugth, attack more, and that over and over again.
As we reach the KOM sprint for the third time Leukemans is still doing an amzing solo effort, as he takes the KOM jersey.
Vansummeren is second over the top, as he lead the Chase groupe 4’40 behind. With him are still Quinziato, Franzoi, Cappelle, Fenn, de Maar, Rowe, Wellens and Hoste.
McEvoy and Terpstra come 1’30 later, followed shortly by Bakari, Page, Petrie-Armstrong and the pack. 50k left.
One lap later not much changed. Fenn and Wellens are dropped form the Chase groupe, where Franzoi is the only one relaying so they’re closing is very slowly. There’s plenty of attacks in the back of the race though, but they are 5 minutes behind the Chase groupe already, so it doesnt matter that much.
Leukemans passes for the last time, ans he’s looking good with just 14km left.
De Maar leads the chasers 1’20 back. It is still possible if someone put in a blistering attack! Another 4’30 later over the top, Paolini is the best of the rest.
But… in the next 13km there come no attacks, so Leukemans heads into the final kilometer with a good advantage. Franzoi leads the groupe where Hoste starts the sprint for what would surely be second place?
Yes is was! Although Rowe came very fast, and very close, Leukemans holds on and takes a very hard earned victory! Hoste fills the podium with a third spot.
Paolini crosses the line at 3’33, with a smile on his face: he knows his teammate has won.
Wellens completes the top 10, just in front of Willems. Boucher, van Heerden, Terpstra, Page and Bakari all finish in front of the pack as well.
Clarke leads in the pack at 7’06 in front of van Avermeat. They can all bury their GC aspirations, if any.
So, looking at the results and at the next stages, surely one of the better time trialists from the top 8 will win, with only 2 flat stages and a short TT remaining. Hoste is looking very satisfied with these results!
