The changes made to the course this year had been hoped to make for a more exciting race, with greater reward for attacking riding.
It was enough to tempt former world champion Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing) to race, even if the sprint-heavy selection of Omega Pharma-Quickstep suggested not everybody saw a break succeeding.
But, after a bunch sprint on The Mall last year, succeed the break did as Gilbert, Ben Swift (Team Sky), Adam Blythe (NFTO), Julian Alaphilippe (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) and Kristijan Koren (Cannondale) succeeded in staying out.
Conditions on the course no doubt helped – wet roads and strong winds playing their part – but organisers were certainly rewarded with the attacking race they had desired.
Whether the same happens in 12 months’ time remains to be seen, but the element of the unknown – a bunch sprint is certainly far from guaranteed – will add intrigue to the race at the very least.
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