With Stoffel riding stronger each race, it was maybe just a matter of time but nobody expected him to pull something like this out of a bag! He won with a solo breakaway for over 15 miles - half the race distance, finishing over 1:30 minutes ahead of the chasing field!

The race of about 50 riders, started with a moderate pace at sunrise under chilly and slightly windy conditions. It seemed everyone was just trying to warm up. We had 5 guys total, Stoffel, Masa, David, Phil and Jack. Stoffel later said "Not a fast race to start off with. One or two breakaway attempts in the first two laps but no serious ones."

On 3rd of 5 laps Stoffel was positioned near the front looking to get into a break situation. At the same time Masa took advantage of a long straight to move up along the peloton also bringing Jack to the front. When aligned with Stoffel, they motioned him to join while Masa powered up a small rise. With three of us stretching out the lead, Stoffel took the opportunity to jump. Coming around Masa and Jack he just said "block for me guys" and off he went!

There was a slight downhill with a few turns and then rolling hills ahead that within a minute helped him vanish from sight, never to be seen again! Stoffel said "One guy stayed with me for a while but he told me that he could not work so he did the noble thing and went back to the pack."

Back in the chase, we did what we could, taking turns moving behind 2nd or 3rd chasing rider to make sure nobody got away to catch Stoffel. Nobody did, but a few stronger riders kept pulling the whole pack along. Later we would find out Stoffel was putting 30-40 seconds on the chase each lap!