Key moments

The ease with which Laurens Ten Dam (HOL-RAB) and Ian McKissick (USA-BMC) broke away from the main field left few doubting they would be reeled in by the end of the stage. Yet, the delay by the teams to ignite a real chase allowed the two to continue their run at the front. While McKissick finally pulled up, Laurens Ten Dam rode the final 23kms alone. After 191 kms of riding in the lead, the Dutchman claimed his fist major victory. Further back, the chase group couldn’t catch the leader but did provoke a serious break up of the main field. The first group, with the race favourites finished in a pack of roughly 30 riders.

Two at the front
Laurens Ten Dam (HOL -RAB) and Ian McKissick (USA-BMC) were the first riders to go on the offensive at km2. Dominik Roels (GER –MRM) briefly tried to join them but the leading duo kept up their pace to widen the gap to the main field to 2’ at the 10km mark. They passed the summit of the first climb of the day, the Côte de Signy l’Abbaye (km 37, 5), with a 12’45” lead. At km 64 the gap had grown to 16’50”.

A brutal acceleration
The High Road, Francaisse des Jeux and Lampre teams began to pick up the tempo at the front of the field to cut into the gap of the two leaders after the day’s first intermediate sprint. The second intermediate sprint, at Vouziers (km 92.5), the time gap narrowed to 13’50”. A more serious acceleration saw the lead diminish to 7’50 at the second intermediate sprint at km48.

A steady drop of riders from the main field
The increase in pace severed the main field. 15kms down the road there were just 35 riders left in the lead pack. Several team leaders such as Casar (FDJ), Rolland (C.A), Kirchen(THR), Nazon(ALM), L’Hotellerie (SKS) and Zabriske (TSL) were dropped. The situation took its toll on McKissick, who left Ten Dam to ride alone from the 170 km mark with just a two-minute lead.

191km breakaway for Ten Dam
With a lead of only 1’30” and 12.5 kms to go after the final climb of the day left Laurens Ten Dam little hope of victory. The Dutchman continued to push; the 35 riders who began to chase him down didn’t disturb his effort. The slim 20” advantage he still had heading into the final kilometre was enough to assure the solo win. Laurens Ten Dam rode a total of 191 kms in the lead.

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This morning I told my team mates that I was going to try something. My legs felt strong and that’s why I attacked so early. McKissick followed me and ran so strong to widen the gap that at the end of the stage he was done. I decided to drop him because I knew I could ride a faster pace on my own.
I really pushed hard for the win, because on several occasions I have been overhauled in the final few hundred metres before the finish line. I thought about it and said to myself “not this time!”

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