This year’s short trip to Asia ends with 3 days in Japan. Today the riders can take a breathe on a pan flat stage through Tokyo.
Politt and McCambridge attacked right at the start, but they were followed by Scully, Haller and Mudgway. We’ll see if the three sprinters are only chasing the points at the intermediate sprint or if they actually try a day in the break.
The three sprinters sit up immediately after the sprint, so we have only two riders in the break today. That’s no surprise given the profile of the stage.
Wouters and Haller battle it out for 3rd at the second intermediate sprint. They have 128 km to recover though.
With 50 km to go the gap is at 3 minutes after maxing at 3’45.
The break is caught with 12 km to go. Politt calls it a day and asks his DS where he could spend the evening here in Tokyo.
The small break should have allowed for an organized leadout for once, but it seems rather chaotic with 5 km to go.
It seemed like Hallers train would take the responsibility, but with 2 km to go everyone sits up. Van Uden on the left seemingly wants to take an advantage and accelerates.
And no one reacts!
When Wouters finally launches his sprint under the kite the Dutchman has a big lead.
But Van Uden cracks and with 200 m to go Wouters has nearly overtaken him. But Krieger is right by his side. Scully and Edmondson are fighting for 3rd.
And Wouters takes the win! Krieger finishes 2nd while Scully beats Edmondson for the final podium spot.
Van Uden gets 5th in the end, behind him are Haller, Mudgway, Consonni, McGill and Darbinyan in 6th to 10th.
Congratulations to Wouters who adds the green jersey to his third stage win!
[C1] Tour of America 
