Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen (SKY) took the win in the 25th Dutch Food Valley Classic (1.HC), a 209km flat classic ridden around the town of Veenendaal today. Boasson Hagen beat Kenny van Hummel (SKS) and Stefan van Dijk (WIL) in the mass sprint that took the race to the day, after a 5-man breakaway opened the way home for most of the stage. Danish Martin Pedersen (FOOTON-SERVETTO-FUJI) went on showing his great fitness level exhibited at recent appearances, and gained, alongside Van Vooren (TSV), Dumoulin (PHR), Veuchelen (VAC) and Van Winden (RAB), a 5.50-minute advantage halfway the course, which went reduced to zero by a peloton gently willing to reel the group back in for the decisive 40 kilometers.

The numerous later attacks from the bunch did not avoid the big group reaching the finish, as the Gold Generation had to deal with a mechanical suffered by Enrique Mata in the last 6km. The Spaniard did all his best to get into the group and even took the team’s best result amongst the first 20 in the day. The good sensations offered by the lads of Daniele Nardello -all eight riders finished but David Vitoria, still suffering muscular and intestinal problems suffered in the Tour de Pologne- will be looked up to be kept just in 48 hours in Hamburg, as Golds fight against the very best teams in the peloton during the 217km traditional course in the 15th Vattenfall Cyclassics (UCI ProTour).

CLASSIFICATIONS:
Dutch Food Valley Classic (1.HC), Veenendaal, 209 km.
1. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Sky) 4.51.32
2. Kenny van Hummel (Skil-Shimano) s.t.
3. Stefan van Dijk (Verandas Willems) s.t.