Here we go then. The start of one of the most anticipated CT races of the season. Let's go!
Up until the bottom of the first climb we see the likes of Indosat - ANZ and Sancor Cycling Team setting a hard pace, which prevents an early break from gaining a good advantage.
However, a four man break did get clear eventually. The break and how many KOM points each mopped up after the three climbs were dealt with:
Hassan
42
Sakalou
32
Stuyven
24
Hansen
22
The peloton with 70 KM to go.
The climbs have now been dealt with. The sprinters' teams have 5'40 to make up on the long descent if they want to contest the victory.
15 KM to go.
The weather couldn't be much more dramatic for the finale. The break had '30 at this point but would be wound in with 5 KM to go.
Stage 1 sprint coming up!
With 3 KM to go Gatorade - SIS really get a good gap to the rest:
Varabei
Sulzberger
King
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_
_
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Moyano
Chawchiangkuang
Herrera
Kruopis
Andriato
Davis
Verschoor
Tleubayev
Franczak
However, it isn't a done deal as under the flame rouge Chawchiangkuang brings his team leader level with those ahead.
With only hundreds of meters to go King launches his sprint, did he leave it too late with the likes of Tleubayev, Andriato and Kruopis gaining?
No, stage win for King. We start the ol' USA challenge with a US based team taking out the sprint win, after a good battle between the top sprinters here. Kruopis, Tleubayev, Andriato and Sulzberger (whose lead-out decided this one) round out the top 5.
