September 23, 2006 (Salzburg, Austria) — It’s another beautiful day in Salzburg with a great crowd on hand for the U23 Men’s road race already underway (start 9am local time, 3am EDT). 177 riders started and will complete 176.8 kms or 8 laps of the 22.2 km course. Canada has four riders on the start line Christian Meier (BC), David Veilleux (QC), Cam Evans (BC) and Brandon Crichton (ON).

Laps 1-4

We are picking up the race just after the 1/2 way mark. Early on during Lap 1 Mikhail Ignatiev (Russian Federation) got away and at one point had about a 1 min lead. Canada’s Christian Meier tried to bridge up to him during Lap 2 but was reeled in. Ignatiev was caught about halfway thru the second lap.

Another break of 3 riders that included Dario Cataldo (Italy), Robert Gesink (Netherlands) and Romain Feillu (France) got away and established a 1-min lead.

Lap 5

The 3 leaders have been caught about halfway through Lap 5 and the pack is now back together as they size each other up heading into the final stages of the race.

Lap 6

Another group of 3 riders has gotten away including Florian Morizot (France), Kristoffer Gudmund Nielsen (Denmark) and Simon Spilak (Slovenia).

Canada’s Cameron Evans got held up behind a small crash but will be able to get back on. The rest of the Canadian team is sitting comfortably in the pack.

There are 148 riders still in the race from 177 starters – a group of about 20 riders is off the back.

This was the fastest lap at 29:21 average speed 44.3 km/hr

Lap 7

A group of 11 riders has gotten away as Lap 7 begins but it looks like it will be short-lived as the peloton bears down on them. All Canadian riders are in the main group.

At the 2/3 mark through the lap a group of 7 riders have gotten away including Davide Malacarne (Italy), Dominique Cornu (Belgium), Sebastian Langeveld (Netherlands), Kristoffer Gudmund Nielsen (Denmark), Rene Mandri (Estonia), Chavez Miguel Angel Rubiano (Colombia), Simon Spilak (Slovenia).

The Italians are leading the peloton as they chase down this group.

Lap 8 Final

The riders are on their last lap – Branislau Samoilau (Belarus) has bridged to the 7 leaders who now have a 28-second lead on the main group and the leaders are beginning to attack each other.

The peloton has now caught the leaders as the group heads into the first major climb on the course about 1/3 of the way through the lap.

There are sporadic attacks from the Belgians and the Colombians as well as Germany but nothing is sticking.

Canada’s Brandon Crichton has been hit by a support car near the top of the climb – he visibly upset and is now carrying his bike to the top of the climb.

Over the top of the climb Alexander Khatuntsev (RussianFederation) has broken away on his own and is being chased by a group of 4 riders lead by Gerald Ciolek (Germany).

The group came back together but now 6 riders have gotten away – Romain Feillu (France), Alexander Khatuntsev (Russia), Gerald Ciolek (Germany), Francesco Gavazzi (Italy), Jelle Vanendert (Belgium), Robert Gesink (Netherlands) – with a lead of about 200 metres on the pack with 5 km to go.

Gerald Ciolek (Germany) has won.

Unofficial

1. Gerald Ciolek (Germany) 4:00:49
2. Romain Feillu (France)
3. Alexander Khatuntsev (Russian Federation)
4. Francesco Gavazzi (Italy)
5. Jelle Vanendert (Belgium)
6. Robert Gesink (Netherlands)