Today Australian Matthew Goss (Saxo Bank) out-kicked compatriot Allan Davis (Quick-Step) for the win in the 89th running of Paris-Brussels. Finishing third was Kristof Goddaert (Topsport Vlaanderen) who finished third in the Belgian national championships earlier this year.

This was the first race back for Davis after having to leave the Vuelta early due to stomach issues.

After the race Saxo Bank director Dan Frost confirmed Goss was their man for the day, ”Before the race we knew that Matthew was the guy to put in a great position and he fulfilled our hopes in great style.
 
“In the last twenty kilometers there was a lot of disturbance in the field but our young group of riders really worked as a team and Matthew put the icing on the cake by crossing the line first. He is in perfect condition and last night he said he wanted to make a big result. Luckily, he held his promise.”

Five riders got away.

After several attacks, it was Niki Terpstra (Milram), Floris Goesinnen (Skil – Shimano), Michiel Elijzen (Silence – Lotto), Wout Poel (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team) and Vitaliy Kondrut (ISD) who were in the feature break for the day.

Fighting a block headwind on the way in to Brussels, the five up front only had 30 seconds in hand around the 50 kilometer to go mark and were eventually absorbed by the peloton.

The last 35 kilometers of the race was marked by constant attacks from the field, with ISD proving to be the most aggressive.

With 17 kilometers left to race a strong group containing Sylvain Chavanel, Francesco Ginanni, Simon Geschke, Jan Bakelants, Stefano Garzelli, Pablo Lastras, Juan Antonio Flecha, Joost van Leij and Patrik Sinkewitz broke away. The break worked hard to keep their advantage on the peloton, but despite the presence of some big engines, they were brought back into the fold just ten kilometers later.

On the run in to the finish line in Brussels the peloton was all together and primed for a field sprint. Frenchman Romain Feillu (Agritubel) opened up the dash to the line, but in the end it was Matthew Goss who cruised in for the victory.

Result
1 Matthew Goss – Team Saxo Bank
2 Allan Davis – Quickstep
3 Kristof Goddaert – Topsport Vlaanderen
4 Kenny Dehaene – Predictor-Lotto
5 Tom Veel – Skil-Shimano
6 Frédéric Amorison – Landbouwkredit
7 Nico Sijm – Cofidis
8 Romain Feillu – Agritubel
9 Aart Vierhouten – Vacansoleil
10 Alexei Markov – Team Katusha