In today’s 185km stage there’s 28 KOM points on offer, as well as 22 bonification seconds. It’s a hilly stage, with the final km’s to the finish rising sligthly as well. Sanchez, Trofimov and Gesink are looking to be the favourites for today.
The first attacks came from Orozco, Coenenm Davis, Coyot and de Heas.
They seem to get a gap, but it’s not long before everyone starts attacking including guys like Nolf, Baugnies and Anza.
So, with that many riders in the attack, some teams will chase it. But… there is wind. High speed + wind = Splits in the pack! Loads of GC riders missed out: First of all: Jerome Coppel, number two in the current GC! Further: Castano, Siutsou, Mancebo, Kloden, Millar, Phinney, Ghisalberti, Flecha, Pedraza, Nibali, Delgado, Pecharroman, Chacon and Zubeldia. So, this could have a big impact.
Luckly for them the gap was closed rather fast. But, let it be a wake up call for them!
In the first sprint, Suaza takes it in front of Coyot and Coenen. They’re chased by 10 men, and behind those another two groupes of 6 and 5 riders are attacking as well.
Lots of riders on the attack means a chase, and the wind is still there... They haven’t learned it, did they? Split again! Many riders are still in the back, a few did stay up front now including Coppel.
But then, suprizingly, the pace drops and the second groupe remakes contact. But there’s still 22 men in the attack! A few of the notable names: Suaza, Davis, Bozic, Baugnies, Nolf, Anza, Pineau and Joly.
They’ve got 5 mintes to the pack as we reach the top of the fist unclassified hill. Joly and Anza lead. They’ve got about 50 seconds to a second groupe, where Pineau is riding away.
On the top of the next climb, Anza and Joly still lead, joined by Pineau halfway up the climb. Now it’s Brandt who’s leaving the chase groupe going over the top. Also note that both Unicef and Lipton had three men un front, but while Unicef has them all in E2, Lipton only has one there; Baugnies.
The pack is now speeding up, lead by Rabobank. Gap: 5’30
On the top of the next hill, Brandt joined the leaders as well. As Joly takes the points, E2 is at 1’30, another groupe is at 2’40 and the pack at 4’40.
Pineau takes the sprint with 70km to go and 4’00 left to the pack. It’s not for the attackers today. Shortly after the sprint, Brandt is dropped, and although he stays close for a long time, he never catches up again.
Into the decent to the last climb only the four riders up front are left to catch for the peloton. They’ve to 2’40, as Panayotov crashes. Luckly, he doesnt take anyone with him, and he can continue the race.
With the pack getting on the final hill, the attacks start right away with Kashechkin off first.
The gradients are pretty steep here and although many try, not all succeed; Iglinski, Pluchkin, Fothen, Arooyo, Coppel, Abal, Camano, Gesink, Sanchez, Trofimov and Rogers all try to get to Kashechkin, but only Gesink and Sanchez can get a gap.
Getting closer to the top, Serpa, Trofimov and Marchante lead another strike of attacks. On the top though, everything gets together again. (Except Kashechkin)
As there’s no decent, more attacks follow right away. Anza now leads, joined by Kashechkin.
Behind them, Spilak and another groupe have a small gap; Iglinski, Arroyo, Trofimov, Marchante, Sanchez, Cobo, Pluchkin, Joly and Pineau.
45km left, 1’25 to the pack for Anza. More fav’s attack, but the pack keeps catching most.
Five riders have nearly caugth up with the leaders
But their gap is not big.
5km Left, Sanchez and Pluchkin are now in the lead.
But the pack is still close. The chase groupe is now caugth. Surely, Sanchez and Pluchkin are out of reach.
The sprint is on!
And the better sprinter, Sanchez, doesnt have any problems and wins the stage!
Kashechkin leads home the pack almost a minute down: Pluckin takes the jellow jersey, having done a better prologue then Sanchez!
- Due to a crash, you’ll have to make do with these screens. Click to enlarge –
