The 91 riders of this 14^th Classique des Alpes took off this morning at 11h15 from Chambery under a bright summer sky. After just a few kilometres, the strong men take command, increasing the pace at the front of the peloton. They all know that it's going to be a demanding event all along the 165 kilometres. They therefore try to make the difference before the first difficulties of the day. But no one manages a significant gap on the main field.

In the climb up the Côte de Saint-Pierre de Chartreuse (Km 37), Landaluze (Eus), Jaksche (CSC) and Gutierrez (Pho) break away and slowly achieve to increase the gap. At the top, Gutierrez is first ahead of Landaluze and Jaksche. Behind, at 15'', the peloton stays put, led by Halgand (CA) and Camano (Eus). But the escapees carry on their efforts. Jaksche is even dropped from the leading positions, rapidly caught by Lefevre (Blb) and at the top of the Col de Cucheron (Km 40,5), the followers are 35'' behind Gutierrez and Landaluze. The peloton with Moncoutié in the front remains 50'' adrift.

The gaps are stable at the top of the Col du Granier (Km 58,5) where Gutierrez, again beats Landaluze, 8'' ahead of Lefevre and Jaksche. 48'' adrift are 8 men. In the downhill portion, the four leaders are back together. They are then caught by the 8 followers Simeoni (Dom), Pereiro (Pho), White (Cof), Gryshenko (Lan), Robin (Fdj), Goubert (A2R), Beneteau (Blb) and Halgand) at the entry of the feeding zone of la Ravoire (Km 79,5). They then have a 1' lead on the fast peloton, gaining ground. The leaders are caught at the bottom of the Col des Prés.

In the climb, Martinez (Eus), Gutierrez, Gryshenko, Simeoni and Halgand try to take off. Simeoni can't keep up with the pace while Bessy counter attacks. At the top (Km 99), Gutierrez is ahead of Martinez, Gryshenko and Halgand. Bessy clears the climb 2'15'' behind. The peloton is at 4'.

The race becomes even harder while the CSC riders lead the peloton.The escapees try to keep a good gap and also accelerate. But Halgand and then Martinez and Gryshenko can't keep up with their companions in the climb up the Col de Plaimpalais (Km 133). At the top, Gutierrez is alone in the lead. Gryshenko tries to close in, 15'' behind. Martinez is at 1'05 while a counter attacking group led by Voeckler (Blb), Bocharov (CA), Sevilla (Pho) and Mayo (Eus), rapidly catches up. Gutierrez makes it first at the top of the Col du Revard (Km 140,5) before being caught going downhill. In the leading group at that stage of the race: Gutierrez, Mayo, Sevilla, Botcharov, Landaluze, Voeckler, Pereiro and Sastre (CSC).

Attacks are ever increasing in the lead. But at 20 kilometres from the finish, nobody is ready to let the race go. One after the other Voeckler, Sastre, Mayo and Pereiro break away before immediately being caught and the 8 men remain together with 10kms to go. In these last kilometres, Sastre, Mayo and Voeckler manage to gain a few metres on their rivals. But strong men Pereiro, Gutierrez manage to close the gap less than 3kms from the line. Finally 8 men fight it out in a decisive sprint at the end of the last straight. 400m from the line, Pereiro beats Mayo and Gutierrez for the victory.