GC hopes survive wind, rain and crash

Despite our “high wind warning,” shortened, 93.5 km stage today, Slipstream’s GC hopes were preserved…. Barely.

Both Trent Lowe and David Millar made the final selection of 30 riders who contested the final sprint. Many of the top GC contenders were left behind by high winds that split the peloton to pieces.

However, the news wasn’t all cheery today. With 4 km to go, Millar crashed hard on a slippery right hand corner. With the last kilometer an uphill, he had only 3 km to make it back to a fast charging group. But make it he did! Catching the group just 1.5 km before the finish, Millar recovered just enough to stay with the front group for the uphill finish.

Trent Lowe also pulled out an amazing ride for a guy that weighs just 120 lbs. Staying with the hard charging Quick-Step and Rabobank riders, little Trent showed today that he will contend for the overall victory.

Slipstream stage 1 results
1. Gert Steegmans 2:21′29″

27. Trent Lowe +00′07″
29. David Millar +00′07″
63. Christian Vande Velde +02′37″
72. Danny Pate +02′37″
74. Tyler Farrar +02′37″
104. Christophe Laurent +06′32″
141. Tom Peterson +08′26″
153. Lucas Euser +08′26″

Slipstream GC after stage 1
1. Thor Hushovd 2:26′55″

6. Trent Lowe +00′18″
7. David Millar +00′20″
43. Danny Pate +02′45″
65. Christian Vande Velde +03′09″
95. Tyler Farrar +05′52″
112. Christophe Laurent +07′00″
141. Tom Peterson +08′56″
145. Lucas Euser +09′05″