THE RACE:
As the stage began multiple riders attempted to get away, seemingly Hitch’s thread creating team were having none of it, for basically the first 60km no riders could get away from the peloton as hitch’s teammate descender destroyed himself creating a rapid start to the race. Finally with 75km remaining the pace slowed down and the break of the day had been created. Interestingly Publicus a pre-race favorite was present after his huge flop the day before (Publicus attributed the ten minute loss to a hunger knock). Also present in the group bicing whom claims to know every single gradient of the upcoming monster. Also present luckyboy, jensattacks, TRDean, onem@n@rmy, thirteen and moondance. The group were clearly working very well together quickly creating a 10 minute gap from the peloton who had completely taken the foot of the pedal.
Back in the peloton as Monte CQ fast approached the peloton was looking like a nervous bunch, already trailing 13 minutes to the front pack riders could be seen bustling for position. Teamskyfans (aka post-tantrum dim) however was still joking around wearing a Santa hat, naturally this caused LukeSchmid to go apesh!t, whom tackled the British icon with his boomerang. Dim was out of the race with injury, with Luke being immediately disqualified. As the Monte CQ Ranking could be seen in the distance the orange army had hit the front, the Mafioso were creating a rapid pace at the front with Barrus doing a lions share of the work on the flats approaching the base of the climb.
Back at the front the leaders had finally hit the base of the Monte CQ Ranking, immediately Moondance attacked the group, an immediate reaction came from the world champ thirteen with bicing and onem@n@rmy right on her wheel. The 4 had quickly taken a 40 second lead from the chasers who appeared un-panicked and riding at their own pace up this monster. The 4 were working extremely well together, as the 12KM mark approached; this is where the climb ramped up. As soon as they hit the 24% section moondance and bicing rode away from thirteen and onem@n@rmy, or rather the trailing two practically stooped as the gradients ramped up. The pain was evident in moondance’s face as he struggled up this grueling section, meanwhile only a dozen or so meters behind Publicus and luckyboy were catching up, however on this climb such distance was still a considerable amount.
Drama back in the peloton with the Mafioso insane pace causing huge splits in the peloton… AND HROTHA has missed the split; this is bad news for the patriotic Spaniard. The peloton has just started the climb and already thanks to the Dutch folk the group is down to just 50 odd riders. As Hrotha and his minions trail 45 seconds Spine Concept of the Mafioso is doing all the work at the head of the pack as they start the 24% section… Insane… riders are dropping like flies. DT is CRACKING!! Already, with 9.7km still remaining he is practically done. Naturally this has caused EL pickle to attack the front group, it is a good attack but one must wonder if it is a wise attack.
CURRENT SITUATION: Moondance, Bicing, Publicus and Luckyboy
(remaining breakaway riders in no-man’s land).
El Pickle+6.15 -- Peloton +6.30 -- DT+6.50 --Hrotha+7.10
Behind the action Libertine is being towed by all his teammates, (barring a certain traitor) C&Cfan whom left his guarding place under the bridge to race at the CN tour is even feeding Libertine grapes while fanning him with his beloved Australian flag. Meanwhile further up the road Hrotha is zigzagging through riders whom are gradually being dropped by the orange army. He passes martin whom is actually crying of pain and now mewmewmew who has literally come to a standstill… she’s getting off her bike and walking!! CRASH right in front of redheaddane, it’s dancing on pedals who was displaying more like a rocking on pedals... and redheaddane is pointing and laughing at him, that crazy Viking!!
Back at the front Spine concept has pulled off the front after a huge piece of work and now kwibus is driving the pace, he is absolutely smashing it and riders are dropping like flies… ACF CRACKS!!! EL PICKLE CAUGHT, AND DROPPED IMMEADITLY. Classic self-destruction!! ZONCOLAN CRACKS!! KREBS CRACKS, AND THROWS HIS WATER BOTTLE AT THE CAMERA MAN IN THE PROCESS!! MELLOWVELO CRACKS! AUSSIE GODDESS CRACKS! CRACKS EVERYWHERE!!!! Incredible the main group is only a handful riders big now, Parullo, Hitch, Ferminal, Youngest, Harvetts, Thoughtforfood, Ryo, Brodeal, Roundabout, Ingsve, scottsocal, boomcie, MVDB and Eshnar are left! Kwibus finally pulls to the right and almost collapses from exhausting, he might have trouble making it to the end.. still 6.7km remaining! And on cue havetts is hitting the front for his team leader youngest with a ferocious pace… The race helicopter has just shown a zoomed out picture of the zigzagging roads of the monte CQ and riders across the mountain can be seen walking, even crawling up the mountain. Insane. Amsterhammer has been removed from the race after replacing his bike for an old timer’s scooter, all the whilst calling his peers juvenile and immature for walking up the Monte.
Up the road Publicus has been dropped, clearly he has come to the CN tour poorly prepared; the disappointment on his face can’t be hidden. Bicing is really pushing the pace… and Moondance can’t hold on anymore… neither can luckyboy. Bicing is going solo. Big effort here… He is approaching the 5km flag… BUT incredible… the main group can be seen just a short distance down the climb. Gonna be an epic struggle to pull this off. Further down the climb DT has caught and passed El pickle and ACF on what appears to be a very impressive recovery. El pickle is completely wrecked; the Dutch whom he holds dearly to his heart have really punished his thick-headed tactics today. But still he attacks ACF!! Bizarre attempt to salvage this race. Meanwhile ACF is struggling to pedal, crazy hard section. Furtherdown the climb riders are giving up, Panda claws jumps in the car, valv piti gives up, sublimit throws in the towel.
Meanwhile back in the main group Havetts has pushed it so hard he has actually ridden away from the group. This has caused a massive reaction.. Hitch goes, Big attack. Ryo responds immediately seemingly still pedaling well on these difficult 20+ grades. Ferminal, Youngest and Parullo have also followed the attack and are close to bridging. Further down the climb Hrotha is passing the most recent crackiees, he passes a distraught boomcie who is cussing at race officials. The only rider who can hold onto hrotha’s wheel is MVDB as he makes his way back to the group of favorites. Scottsocal has collapsed off his bike and is crawling down the mountain to the local pub! Jobiwan has just has his daily crash! Ingsve who has had great success in this region before has completely snapped… another walker! ANNNDD Hrotha and MVDB bridges, epic ride.
CURRENT SITUATION (4.5km remaining) Bicing – Harvetts +30 – Hitch, Ryo, Ferminal, Hrotha, MVDB, Parullo, Youngest +45 – DT, Eshnar +1.10 Midnightfright, ACF +1.50 + El pickle +2.20 etc
Ferminal hits the front of the group, and he is setting a very hard pace. Parullo is struggling, he is really rocking in his saddle trying to hold Youngest’s wheel… HE’s gapped… PARULLO CRACKS!!! He doesn’t look good at all and he’s taken mvdb with him! The you Belgium rider picked the wrong wheel to hold and is gonna pay for this mistake. Up the road however Havetts is really pulling away, he is flying on these steep sections… he’s joint bicing, who refuses to be dropped! The youngest who is in a great tactical position is simply following wheels… and Hrotha is starting to pay for his efforts, he is barely hanging on, constantly yo-yoing off the back. RYO GOES!! A Mighty attack by the wanna-be-Colombian. Ferminal is in pursuit going at his own pace, youngest comfortable on his wheel along with the hitch… but Hrotha has now been distanced… He’s in big trouble! Behind Parullo is really fighting to keep his jersey, refusing to give up.. but he’s been joined by DT.. what a ride by the stubborn fool, Boomcie with DT also.. the race officials are watching this one closely!