Grand prix Cycliste de Québec: Terpstra 6th After Solo Attack in Final Kilometers

Grand prix Cycliste de Québec: Terpstra 6th After Solo Attack in Final Kilometers

Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Niki Terpstra had as much as a 40" gap with about 5km to go, on the final lap of 16 in the 201.6km Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec on Friday. His was the latest of OPQS actions in the race, as Dries Devenyns had also made a breakaway that was caught with 27km to go — which meant a little more than two laps of 12.6km each remained.

Terpstra had a gap as he entered the feed zone at the start of the final lap, quickly gaining about 30 seconds. However, just as it appeared Terpstra might make it, the peloton closed in the final climbs of the last lap. 

Peter Sagan (Cannondale ProCycling) accelerated with 3.7km to go as Terpstra's gap was down to 25", but OPQS rider Matteo Trentin played the role of great teammate as he marked Sagan quickly. This delayed the catch of Terpstra briefly as riders looked around at each other. Sagain tried again with a little more than 2km to go, but it was Trentin once again who shut down the move. 

Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing Team) counter attacked with about 1.8km to go, bridging, along with Sagan, to Terpstra's wheel. Several other riders bridged, and a small group including Terpstra had a small gap in the final meters. Robert Gesink (Belkin Pro Cycling Team) found the perfect moment to launch his sprint, and went on to win. Arthur Vichot (FDJ) was 2nd, and Van Avermaet 3rd.

Terpstra was 6th after the big attack that lit up the race in the final kilometers.