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Racing

RideLondon 2014: five observations

London welcomes cycling's elite while thousands brave weather on reduced sportive

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.

Sir Bradley Wiggins leads the peloton up Shere Hill – the addition of the climbs to this year’s route combined with the weather to make for an exciting, attacking race

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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