Gent-Wevelgem *SPOILER*

[Flying_Monkey]

They just keep coming... there's a small break away right now, but no names and it won't last.

Boasson-Haagen is the defending champion but he's been ill recently, ditto Cav and some other contenders. Freire is there, and so's Cancellara, but I guess he will be taking it easier today. Odds on someone like his teammate Matti Breschel?

 

[Keith Oates]

Thanks for the updates FM, for some reason I can't get cylingnews here today so can't follow anything that's going on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Flying_Monkey]

I tell a lie - Lars Bak is in the break - he's definitely one to watch. The field is really breaking up all over those cobbled climbs now.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Chavanel, Freire, Gilbert - they are all in a group behind the main peloton and pretty much out of it, so unless one of them puts in a superhuman effort, we are probably going to have a winner we didn't expect...

 

[jpembroke]

Live video here:

http://www.vshare.tv/live/247398/patman/1

helps if you speak Flemish

"Hoot de groot de groot unter hoot mit grooter hooter"

or something like that

 

[Flying_Monkey]

I just get a load of spam and pop-ups from that...

Meanwhile the front group is getting larger with Liquigas and Garmin riders moving up.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Gilbert and Gasparotto have both managed to bridge the gap after all! Hincapie's there too, I think plus Bennati, Farrar, Quinziato. Maaskant is there too - he's definitely a dark horse possibility. Could be interesting now... about 50km to go.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Big bunch now and all the favourites back in it, but with Iglinsky and Oss trying to make it on a two-man break out front. No way.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

I think we have the final selection now: Iglinskyi, Oss and Kuzyinski (both Liquigas), Breschel (who is looking strong), Freire, Hincapie, Eisel, Vanmarke, Gilbert and Roelandts (both Lotto). Having a teammate might make a difference in the end, but I am holding out for Breschel today.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Aargh... I spoke too soon! Breschel has to get a wheel change, he's back with the small chasing group (Paolini, Knees, Farrar, Cooke). 15km to go...

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Big George is now looking strong, riding well within himself at the back of the front group of six (also including Eisel and Gilbert). (Breschel is coming back with his group... but I think his day was ruined by that mechanical)

 

[Flying_Monkey]

The attacks are coming now... from the lesser riders in the selection is has to be said. Trying their luck.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Eisel over Hincapie! And George is also passed by Vanmarke and Gilbert...

 

[jpembroke]

Bummer. Poor George - always the bridesmaid (apart from that Tour stage where he wheelsucked all the way up an Alp).

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Mind you, Eisel has always been the lead-out or the engine; he's similarly deserving. I'm pleased for him.