The Classics

['Dale]

 

Leukemans has forced the split. Haas is with him, as is Gerrans.

 

['Dale]

go Gerrans!!

 

(One Aussie I like after sharing yellow with Impey last year)

['Dale]

As they cross the finish area, five riders lead, with the BMC-lead peloton at 30 seconds.

['Dale]

 

And Gilbert tries to go it alone and jump across. He's got a gap.

 

['Dale]

He's going to have to go full gas to get across and hope his teammates can control the peloton behind him.

['Dale]

 

The six can see Gilbert coming on a long straight road.

 

['Dale]

This is a do or die effort from Gilbert, on the final lap of the hilly race. Is he the Brabant Arrow this year?

['Dale]

Haas is setting the pace on the climb. He looks strong but so does Gerrans and Gilbert, who is closing in.

['Dale]

What a finale! Gilbert is 14 seconds behind but doesn't seem able to get across the gap alone.

['Dale]

 

He can see them but they are out of reach.

 

['Dale]

There is now another chase group behind Gilbert. Matthews is there to protect Gerrans, so is Wout Poels (OPQS).

['Dale]

 

Gilbert is trying to stay aero on his bars but is about to be caught, with the peloton just behind.

 

['Dale]

 

Gilbert refuses to give up hope and he's closer than ever.

['Dale]

12 kms to go!

['Dale]

He's on! Gilbert is in the break. But they could soon be caught by the peloton.

['Dale]

`gruppo compacto\\everybody together for the final few climbs\\