The 113th edition lived up to it’s hype as the
greatest 1 day cycling race in the world. Like most years it had its share of
attacks, crashes and hard luck stories. The rain that had been present in the
days leading up cleared and made for a mostly dry race, but the parts where
there was still some water on the cobbles provided for some spectacular
crashes, and Luke Rowe’s endo was no exception.
It was a crash earlier in the day on sector 20 that split up
the peloton and left Cancellara and Sagan on the back foot. Just as they looked
like they were going to make it across the gap to Boonen and crew, it would
blow back out. Then Cancellara crashed, providing spectators with some
unbelievable bike handling skills from Peter Sagan as he literally rode of the
top of Spartacus. But the crash also ended any chance Sagan had of closing the
gap.
Up front the Boonen, Vanmarke, Boasson-Hagen and co had
reeled in the breakaway which included Mathew Hayman. Hayman had looked strong
earlier and even tried to ride away from the breakaway earlier. For the Aussies
who were staying up late watching it was pretty exciting to have two Aussies in
the ten man leading group as Heinrich Haussler was having a great race.
But by the time they got to the famed Carrefour
de l’Arbre with 20kms to go there was only 5 remaining at the front – Boonen,
Vanmarke, Boasson-Hagen, Stannard and Hayman. But soon after it was down to 4
as Stannard seemed to cut off Hayman and he lost contact, it looked like the
Orica Greenedge riders chances of winning were dashed. It was on this section
that Sep Vanmarke lit it up and gap his companions and it looked like he just
might have the better of them.
It didn’t last long and the other 3 closed the gap. With
14kms to go Hayman rejoined the group and what followed was a series of attacks
that left you guessing. One moment you thought that Ian Stannard was going to
get away, next you thought that 4 time winner Tom Boonen was going to make it
number 5.
With 2kms to go Hayman attacked Boonen and it looked like he
was going to make it stick but Tom got back on. The pace slowed and the other 3
caught up making it a 5 man sprint finish. Hayman timed his sprint perfectly
and took an exciting win from Boonen and Stannard. Hayman’s reaction and utter disbelief was
great to watch. I, like many other Aussies, were exhausted at work today, but I
am sure we don’t care. Oh and a shout out to Heinrich Haussler who finished 6th
and Zak Dempster in 24th
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