The Spring Classics - 2015

[Eugene Oppelt]

19km remaining from 253km

 

Roman Kreuziger, still waiting for a CAS decision on his biological passport case, accelerates off the front of the leading group on the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons. Giampaolo Caruso (Katusha) bridges across to him and they have a small gap as they crest the summit.

[Eugene Oppelt]

 

Kreuziger and Caruso have a lead of 16 seconds over the peloton, which is being led by Nibali's Astana team. There's a phalanx of Katusha riders near the front, too, keeping a watchful eye on proceedings.

[Eugene Oppelt]

17km remaining from 253km

 

Jakub Fuglsang (Astana) tries to bridge across to the two leaders, where Caruso is sitting on, doubtless citing his commitment to Rodriguez.

[Eugene Oppelt]

 

Giovanni Visconti (Movistar) and Julian Alaphillipe (Etixx-QuickStep) also zip off the front of the bunch and a very dangerous chasing group is developing here.

[Eugene Oppelt]

16.5km remaining from 253km

 

Fuglsang bridges across to Kreuziger and Caruso at the front of the race. They have 19 seconds over the chasers.

[Eugene Oppelt]

 

Rui Costa (Lampre) and Samuel Sanchez (BMC) are also in this chase group, as leaden drops of rain begin to fall.

[Eugene Oppelt]

16km remaining from 253km

 

Visconti, Dani Moreno, Alaphillipe and Rui Costa are in the chasing group but they're struggling to strike up a decent working alliance.

[Eugene Oppelt]

Race on!!!!!

[Eugene Oppelt]

 

Fuglsang, meanwhile, comes straight through and takes a long turn on the front of the break with Kreuziger and Caruso.

[Eugene Oppelt]

15.5km remaining from 253km

 

The chasing group has been brought back. A peloton of around 30 riders is the second group on the road, 18 seconds down on the trio of leaders.

[Eugene Oppelt]

14.5km remaining from 253km

 

No one team is taking control of this peloton, which is being strung out in a line simply by attack after counter-attack. Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) accelerates, but is marked by Stybar. The break's lead rises to 23 seconds.

[Eugene Oppelt]

14km remaining from 253km

 

Caruso has begun to contribute to the break's efforts. The Sicilian, Kreuziger and Fuglsang have 22 seconds in hand on the bunch, where Stybar is chasing on behalf of Kwiatkowski.

[Eugene Oppelt]

12.5km remaining from 253km

 

Kreuziger, Fuglsang and Caruso have reached the rain-soaked roads near the finish, and conditions could be treacherous for the chasing peloton in this finale.

[Eugene Oppelt]

10km remaining from 253km

 

Stybar's mammoth turn on the front of the bunch has seen him open a small gap over the rest, but they're still 22 seconds down on the three leaders.

[Eugene Oppelt]

9.5km remaining from 253km

 

Rain is falling steadily as Kreuziger, Fuglsang and Caruso cross the river Meuse, still with 22 seconds in hand on the chasers.

[Eugene Oppelt]

9km remaining from 253kms

Stybar still leads the pursuit, and his efforts are telling. The gap is down to 15 seconds.