A Shocker in San Remo, Italy!
Matthew Goss (HTC-Highroad) continued his string of victories this season and took the biggest one of his career today as he won Milan-San Remo from an eight-man group. The Tasmanian used his strength to out-power none other than world time trial champion and 2008 Milan-San Remo winner Fabian Cancellara (Leopard Trek), with Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) rounding out the podium in third.
The final eight-rider selection formed with approximately 2km to go as Cancellara led the chase to catch BMC’s Greg Van Avermaet. Michele Scarponi (Lampre) was the first to jump on the finishing straight, but no one was able to challenge the HTC-Highroad sprinter once he unleashed his finishing kick.
A group of four formed with about 15km to go containing Steve Chainel (FDJ), Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), Yoann Offredo (FDJ) and Stuart O’Grady (Leopard Trek). At the same time, the second chasing group with favourites Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo), Oscar Freire (Rabobank) and Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) fell from less than a minute to nearly two minutes back, putting a definite end to their chances.
Van Avermaet attacked out of the breakaway with 8km to go, going over the Poggio summit alone. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) jumped from the chase group, quickly catching and passing the remaining three escapees, and the chase group shattered on the descent off the Poggio.
Fabian Cancellara (Leopard Trek) led the successful chase, with Van Avermaet finally getting caught at 2.5km to go.
Gilbert jumped, dragging Goss, Pozzato and Nibali among others with him. Nibali led the way under the flamme rouge.
The riders eyed each other with 300m to go, with Scarponi jumping first. Goss timed his sprint to perfection, however, to outkick Cancellara and Gilbert.
Brief Results
1 Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) HTC-Highroad 6:51:10 2 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Leopard Trek 3 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 4 Alessandro Ballan (Ita) BMC Racing Team 5 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Katusha Team 6 Michele Scarponi (Ita) Lampre – ISD 7 Yoann Offredo (Fra) FDJ 8 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale 0:00:03
Story from Cyclingnews.com
