Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal 2015: Brilliant victory by cool Tim Wellens

Results Grand Prix de Montréal

1. Tim Wellens (bel)
2. Adam Yates (gbr) s.t.
3. Rui Costa (por) + 0.02
4. Jan Bakelants (bel) +  0.04
5. Tiesj Benoot (bel) s.t.
6. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 0.05
7. Romain Bardet (fra) s.t.
8. Robert Gesink (nld) + 0.09
9. Philippe Gilbert (bel) s.t.
10. Tom-Jelte Slagter (nld) s.t

Race report
In rainy conditions Voeckler and Arredondo are first to attack at Camillien-Houde, but they are reeled in at Côte de Polytechnique. Marc Soler is next. He is accompanied by Jos van Emden, Louis Vervaeke, Simon Yates, Axel Domont, Ilnur Zakarin, Xavier Zandio, Sam Bennett, George Preidler, Thomas Voeckler, Julian Arredondo, Samuel Spokes, Julian Alpahilippe and Julien Berard. The never enjoy a lead of over 30 seconds and in the third round they are reeled in.

And it goes on like that. The race is without a dull moment with attacks all over the place, but when Thomas Voeckler leaves and Manuel Quinziato and Louis Vervaeke join him, they are the only break racing to a 2 minutes gain.

Grivko makes the cross and with two rounds to go the quartet still enjoys a 1’15” lead. By now it is raining cats and dogs.

When cresting Camillien-Houde in the penultimate round Voeckler and Vervaeke are left upfront. Michael Valgren joins them, but the hungry pack is breathing down their necks and when the bell rings the pack is bunched once again.

In the last round Adam Yates, Kelderman, Bardet, Bakelants, Rui Costa and Wellens break clear. The first and the last force a tny gap and mak the U-torn before hitting the finishing straight. The chasers are close behing, but Wellens plays it cool at the front, forcing Yates to sprint, and when the Brit goes, the young Flemish rider eats him alive. Impressive victory!

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