Vattenfall Cyclassics 2010

After a weeks' rest after the Tour of Denmark, a ProTour classic was scheduled for today. The Vattenfall Cyclassics in Hamburg has always been a good race for me. A tough finale with three steep climbs close after one another is generally a good finale for me.

The first group to attack was the one that got away and luckily we had Robin Chagneau on behalf of the team, so the day went well. The race was controlled by the sprinters' teams which had a tough job to catch the five breakaway riders at the end. I felt really good for the whole day and I tried to save my energy as much as possible for the finale. In the end we climbed the Waseberg three times and I was well placed at the front of the field and I had no problem staying with the first riders so I was in the first group on the way to the finish.

During the final three kilometers I was well placed and I was discussing with Roy Curvers how we were going to take the finale when Wouter Weylandt crashed in front of me. I had to brake hard to avoid him and not to fall and I completed ground to a halt. When I finally managed to get going again the group that I was in was already gone and I rode alone to the finish. It was really frustrating because I wasn't bad. A killer that I rode well for 215km and then to be taken at by a stupid crash…

From Tuesday onwards I will be riding in the Eneco Tour and the revenge will have to come then!

Greetings,

Koen

 Photo: Koen during the Vattenfall Cyclassics in Hamburg (with thanks to Cor Vos)