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Rex was caught, incidentally, and there are no riders between the peloton and the 8 escapees 1-50 up the road.
The pace has slackened, following what has been a frantic few minutes. Things will kick off again imminently as the Molenberg approaches, one of the toughest climbs of the race.
Problem for Alpecin-Deceuninck as key domestique Søren Kragh Andersen has a mechanical, and another of their riders is delayed as they debate whether to swap bikes or wait for the team car. Alpecin have looked very controlled so far, but they don’t want to lose two riders from the front of the peloton this early.
The race is really on now! Accelerations are coming out of the front of the bunch, including one from Mads Pedersen. He’s been marked, but Laurenz Rex now has a small gap.
They’ve done the climb but selections are already forming. The peloton is reduced already, to maybe about 60 or so riders.
110KM TO GO
Matteo Jorgenson leads the peloton on the Wolvenberg, bringing the duo back and stringing the bunch out. It’s an acceleration rather than an attack, but the American is forcing everyone to be watchful.
That pair have started climbing the Wolvenberg, while Visma-Lease a Bike lead the peloton a few seconds behind.
Interestingly, Laurence is working with Abrahamson. Alpecin are taking a pro-active approach to being the targetted team.
Axel Laurance is the Alpecin rider, and Jonas Abrahamsen the Uno-X.
Alpecin-Deceuninck regained control on the climb, and they have a rider on that Uno-X rider’s wheel.
An attack has been made over the top of the climb, but from an Uno-X rider rather than a representative of one of those teams.
Lidl-Trek and Visma-Lease a Bike are at the front of the peloton as the climb approaches. These are the teams expected to take the race to Van der Poel – will they dare try anything this early?
That crash occurred on the run-in to the Kapelleberg, which the breakaway are climbing now.
Now there’s a proper crash, with 4 riders down. It’s at the back of the peloton so no…
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