JUST OVER 13 MILES TO GO AT THE MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC WHERE THESE FOUR HUGO AND COMPANY ARE TRYING TO CHASE DOWN TOM SKUJINS.

UP THE ROAD, SOLO RIDER AWAY NURSING A 12 SECOND GAP BACK TO THE FOUR WIT HIS TEAMMATES SITTING BACK AND WAITING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

MATHIAS IN THE BACK, THE DANISH NATIONAL CHAMPION BACK WAITING IN THE WINGS.

>> BUT WITH TWO EXTRA TEAMMATES IN THE THIRD GROUP.

TREK HAS THE ADVANTAGE LOOK FURTHER DOWN 30 SECOND DOWN ON CHASE NUMBER 1.

THOSE GUYS COULD COME TOGETHER WITH THE CHASERS HERE THAT WOULD CREATE A SUPER GROUP TRYING TO BRING BACK TOM SKUJINS BUT EVEN IF SKUJINS COMES BACK, THAT LIDL-TREK TEAM HAS THREE CARDS TO PLAY.

>> AND YOU LOOK AT HIS STYLE RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S HIS STYLE.

THAT'S HOW HE RIDES.

THAT'S WHEN HE IS GIVING IT 100%.

HE IS NOT TIRED.

HE IS COMMITTED AND HE IS STRONG.

>> NICE SHOT FROM THE HELICOPTER, GIVE US A BETTER IDEA WHAT THE GAP IS.

MAYBE A LITTLE TOO BIG FOR EVEN THE HELICOPTER TO SHOW.

>> IF HE CAN GET OUT OF SIGHT, THAT IS GREAT FOR HIM.

OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND.

WHEN THE CHASERS HIT THE RIGHT HAND, THERE YOU GO.

THAT'S THE GAP RIGHT THERE 15 SECONDS, MAYBE A LITTLE MORE FOR SKUJINS.

DID ADD A COUPLE MORE SINCE OUR LAST CHECK.

15 SECONDS IS NO THE A LOT.

THEY'RE ADJUSTING IT DOWN TO 11 FOR SKUJINS UP THE ROAD.

>> 15 SECONDS WITH ONE RIDER MAKI THE DIFFERENCE.

HE HAS THREE GUYS CHASING HIM WHICH MEANS TY DON'T HAVE THE TOWER TO BRING HIM BACK UNLESS THEY'RE BLUFFING AND I DON'T THINK THEY ARE.

I THINK ALL THEY'VE THOSE GUYS ARE DOING THE BEST WE CAN OR ONE OF THEM IS SAVING A LITTLE TO GO ACROSS.

>> SEEMS LIKE HAMILTON HAS BEEN DOING THE MOST WORK IN THAT GROUP.

ONE THING IS FOR SURE F. THIS DOESN'T WORK OUT FOR TOM STRONG CONTENDER FOR THE RX BENEFITS MOST INSPIRATIONAL JERSEY TODAY.

>> THERE IS OUR POSSIBLE MAN I WOULD SAY THAT TAKES SOME INSPIRATION.

>> TAKES A LOT OF INSPIRATION TO MAKE A MOVE LIKE THIS.

THIS GUY LEFT WITH JUST UNDER 3E HIT OUT SOLO ABOUT 25 MILES LEFT WHEN HE LEFT THIS FRONT GROUP.

SO HE BELIEVED HE COULD DO IT AND HOLDING ON WITH UNDER 12 LEFT.

HE HAS ONE TO GO WHEN HE HITS THE CIRCUIT ONE MORE TIME IN DOWNTOWN BALTIMORE.

>> LOOK AT HIS POWER, LOOK AT HIS FACE.

HE IS COMMITTED.

HE WANTS THIS.

SKUJINS FINISHES TOP STEP OF THE PODIUM OR WELLFF THE BACK OF THE GROUP BECAUSE IF HE IS CAUGHT, HE IS NOT GOING HAVE ANYTHING LEFT IN THE TANK.

HE IS USING EVERYTHING HE HAS, ALL IN ON THIS SOLO MOVE.

THIS IS ONE IN 100 SHOT OF WORKING ON PAPER.

HE KNOWS THAT.

HE IS A GAMBLER.

HE KNOWS THE ODDS ARE STACKED AGAINST HIM BUT HE KNOWS THIS IS THE BEST CHANCE OF TRYING TO WIN OUT OF THE GROUP SO THE GAMBLER HAS BEEN SET FREE OFF THE FRONT.

>> DEFINITELY KNOWS HOW TO PLAY THE CARDS AND HE PLAYED HIS CARDS.

BUT THAT'S HIM HE IS THE KIND OF GUY WHO PUTS IT ALL ON THE LINE, 100%, HE GOES DEEP, SO DEEP.

BUT WHEN IT WORKS OUT WHAT A FEELING.

A BEAUTIFUL.

>> GAP BACK UP TO 15 FOR SKUJINS.

GAP WON'T MATTER MATCH UNTIL THE FINAL LAP.

>> MAYBE POWLESS MAKES AN ATTACK.

HE HAS TO.

HE CAN'T SEE THESE TWO OTHER RIDERS HELPING HIM OUT.

HE HAS TO JUMP AND MAYBE HE WILL DRAG A TEAMMATE ALONG.

MAYBE NOT.

MAYBE HE NEEDS TO PICK THAT PERFECT MOMENT WHERE HE CAN MAKE A GAP.

>> YOU WILL NOTICE IN THE CHASE GROUP BEHIND MATIAS NOT DOING ANY WORK.

HE HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE BACK OF THE GROUP THE ENTIRE TIME SINCE SKUJINS LEFT SO HE IS JUST STAYING FRESH HERE, BACK OF THE GROUP IN THE RED JERSEY.

AND THAT'S ABSOLUTELY THE RIGHT PLAY.

HE HAS NO OBLIGATION TO HELP THESE GUYS.

IT'S DOWNRIGHT DUMB TO HELP THESE GUYS.

SO THEY'VE NOW ACCEPTED THE FACT THAT HE IS NOT GOING TO BE DOING ANY WORK, NOT GOING TO HELP THESE GUYS OUT ANY TIME SOON.

THIS IS THE BEST CASE SCENARIO FOR LIDL-TREK BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT ONE GUY AWAY WITH A REAL CHANCE TO WIN, BUT IF IT DOESN'T WORK OUT, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THE FRESHEST GUY OUT OF THE FOUR BEHIND HIM.

MEANWHILE WANT TO POINT OUT THE GAP HAS GONE UP BETWEEN CHASE 1 AND CHASE 2.

UP TO A MINUTE 30.

>> THEY CALL IT A DAY.

THAT'S A BIG CHANGE.

THEY DEFINITELY...

HE HAS ONE MORE MOVE HE CAN DO.

HE CAN ATTACK.

IF HE ATTACKS, IT SEEMS LIKE AN ACKWARD MOVE.

BUT IF HE ATTACKS,T THROWS OFF THE RHYTHM F. HE GETS A GAP, HE COULD CLOSE OFF A COUPLE SECONDS FOR A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE HE THROWS OFF THE OTHER GUYS BUT FORCES THE OTHER GUYS TO GO SOLO AND COME ACROSS TO HIM AND ONCE THEY CATCH HIM, IT'S A BIT OF CAT AND MOUSE BACK AND FORTH A THAT THROWS OFF THE RHYTHM.

BECAUSE HE, IN A WAY, WHAT HE WANTS TO DO, WHAT REALLY WANT TO HAVE IS THESE THREE RIDERS CHASING TOM, GET OUT OF ORDER THEY CAN'T WORK TOGETR REALLY WELL.

RIGHT NOW THEY'RE WORKING REALLY WELL TOGETHER A SMALL ATTACK COULD DO THAT.

>> IT'S A RISK.

>> A SMALL ATTACK COMING OUT UFT OF THE GROUP OF FOUR.

>> IT SHOWS THEY'RE NOT WORKING WELL TOGETHER.

>> SOMEONINGS GOING TO ATTACK OFF THE TOP OF THAT ONE.

THERE WE GO.

IT SO NOW TREK GOING TO TRY TO STACK THIS ONE ONE AND TWO WITH SKUJINS JUMPING THE ROAD AND NOW WE SEE MATHIAS LEAVE THE GROUP.

THAT'S ONE WAY TO DO IT.

>> PANICKING, POWLESS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO.

HAMILTON REALIZING THIS HAS GONE PEAR SHAPED FOR THEM.

>> PRETTY AMAZING.

I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS GOING WORK LIKE THAT.

>> THIS IS AWESOME RIDING FROM TREK.

>> IS HE WAITING?

IS HE ACTUALLY WAITING?

HE COULD BE WAITING.

HE DOESN'T KNOW YET.

>> THE ONLY THICK CAN I THINK IS MAYBE SKUJINS GOT ON THE RADIO AND WAS LIKE GUYS, I DON'T HAVE IT.

I DON'T HAVE 10 MORE MILES LEFT IN MY LEGS.

THEY SAID OKAY, GO RIGHT NOW INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR TOMS TO BE CAUGHT HERE BUT SKUJINS IS NOT RIDING LIKE HE IS COUNTING ON BEING CAUGHT TODAY.

THIS BUY IS STILL ALL IN WAITING ON HIS TEAMMATE ON THE WAY UP NOW.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THIS BACK FIRED BECAUSE THEY'RE CATCHING UP.

THIS MIGHT COME BACK TOGETHER.

MAYBE THIS WAS A MISTAKE.

IT'S A LITTLE CLOSE RIGHT NOW I'M CAUTIOUS OF THE MOVE IF THEY GET TOGETHER BUT LOOK AT THIS, IT'S COMING BACK TOGETHER.

GOING TO DRAG THESE GUYS UP.

ALTHOUGH THEY DIDN'T SIT IN THE DRAFT SO HE WAS FORCING POWLESS TO DO ALL THIS WORK BY HIMSELF.

BUT THAT IS GOING TO DRAG 'EM UP TO TOM SKUJINS AND I THINK WE CAN HIT THE RESET BUTTON HERE AND KNEEL FEEL NEILSEN POWLESS NEEDS TO CLOSE IT RIGHT NUND HE IS GOING CLOSE IT.

>> WOW.

WHAT HAPPENED HERE IN AND NOW HE IS HEADING OUT AGAIN.

HE HAS TO GO.

THERE GOES POWLESS GOING AFTER HIM LOOK HOW HE USED SKUJINS TO GAP THE OTHER GUYS OFF.

THAT'S IT FOR POWLESS?

HE DUG IT DEEP FOR CLOSING THE GAP AND IS PAYING THE PRICE.

>> SKUJINS TRYING TO HOLD ON TO THE WHEEL OF LUCAS HAMILTON WHO DOESN'T HAVE MUCH LEFT.

SKUJINS SAYS GOODBYE TO HIM.

HAMILTON IS OUT.

POWLESS STRUGGLING.

HE WENT TOO DEEP ON THAT ATTACK.

HE IS HOPING THESE GUYS REGROUP AND SLOW DOWN FOR A SECOND.

>> HAMILTON HOLDING ON FOR DEAR LIFE.

>> GOING TO TAKE US DONE TO THREE IN THE FRONT GROUP HUGO TODAY.

STAYING O.

MAKING IT ACROSS.

AND THEN RESPONDING TO THIS LAST LITTLE KICK FROM LILD TRACK.

-- LIDL-TREK.

>> YOU THINK THEY PLANNED THAT THAT HE WAS NOT FEELING THAT GREAT?

>> SEEMS REMARKABLY CONVENIENT OR HE DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD CLOSE THAT GAP THAT QUICK.

>> MAYBE HE WAS SURPRISED HOW QUICKLY IT GO THE U THERE.

THERE IS DOWNTOWN AWAITING THE RIDERS AS THEY GET READY TO HEAD OUT ON THEIR FINAL CIRCUIT, THE DOWNTOWN BALTIMORE LOOP HERE, THE HARBOR, A FEW METERS AWAY.

THEY'LL HIT THE FINISH LINE.

HE DOES NOT WANT TO SPRINT THIS OUT.

COVERING THE MOVE HERE THEY HAVE TO KEEP ATTACKING ONE AFTER ANOTHER.

HE HAS TO GET READY.

HE MIGHT BE WIENTING ANOTHER ONE UP HERE.

POWLESS IN THE GAP.

I WOULD BACK TO THE CORNER AND SLING OFF.

SEE IF HE DOES IT.

COME ON, BUDDY.

NOT THE BEST... A LITTLE LATE ON THE JUMP BUT CAUGHT HIM OFF GUARD, GOT HIM CLEAR.

THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERED.

IT'S ONLY CRAZY IF IT DOESN'T WORK.

>> EXACTLY SKUJINS... >> GOING TO SPLIT IT.

HE HAS TO RESPOND AGAIN THIS IS JUST NUTS HOW MANY TIMES CAN HE FOLLOW THESE MOVES NOT MANY.

LUCAS HAMILTON HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE BACK SAYING YOU ARE DOING GREAT HUGO, KEEP IT UP.

>> THESE TWO OTHER RIDERS NEED TO GET TOGETHER AND SAY LET'S TEAM UP LET'S WORK TOGETHER BECAUSE IF WE ARE BOTH NOT GOING TO MAKE IT, TREK WILL KEEP ATTACKING US.

>> HOYLA OUT TO THE FRONT.

THEY'LL GET THE BELL AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY UNDER THE LINE.

SKUJINS IN TROUBLE.

TRYING TO HOLD ON TO THE WHEEL HERE.

CAN HE MAKE IT FOR ANOTHER 7.5 MILES.

>> CANE ATTACK AGAIN RIGHT NOW?

>> PULLING OFF THE FRONT.

HE NEEDS SOME REST.

LOOK AT THIS.

AND HE LOOKS OVER AND SAYS YOU KNOW WHAT?

I'LL JUST GO FOR IT.

>> DID YOU SEE THAT?

THE OTHER GUYS WERE LOOKING THE OTHER GUY.

REMEMBER WE TALKED ABOUT, WHAT IS ANOTHER WAY TO CREATE SPACE?

GO LEFT.

GO TO THE RIGHT.

>> ALL THE WAY TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOW HE HAS OPENED UP A FEW SECONDS HEADING INTO ONE LAP TO GO.

>> I THINK THIS COULD BE IT.

>> HE HAS TO FIGURE IT OUT.

THEY'VE GOT TO COOPERATE BEHIND HIM.

HAMILTON,.

>> I THINK HE IS THE FRESHEST GUY IN THE GROUP.

THIS IS IT.

>> REMEMBER THIS GUY HAS BEEN SITTING ON THE GROUP THE ENTIRE TIME THAT TOM SKUJINS WAS AWAY, HE DIDN'T TAKE A SINGLE PULL OUT OF THAT GROUP.

SO HE IS GOING HAVE THE BEST LEGS OUT OF THIS GROUP AND THERE IS NEILSEN POWLESS TACKING BACK ON TO THE BACK OF THE GROUP.

>> THAT MAKES STENS, SEND ONE GUY OUT, GET THE OTHER GUYS TIRED AND THEN YOU SIT AND WAIT AND THEN COME ACROSS.

>> I THINK THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD COME ACROSS AND WORK TOGETHER BUT THEY HAD JUST ENOUGH ENERGY TO CATCH THEM BOTH BUT NOW HE IS GOING TO MOVE.

LIDL-TREK IS PLAYING THIS THING DOWN REALLY WELL.

SO FAR, SO GOOD.

>> PRETTY AMAZING.

I LOVE THE TACTICS.

FOR THIS KIND OF RACIN THAT IS SO CHAOTIC AND SO MANY THINGS CAN HAPPEN, IT IS HARD TO FIGURE OUWHAT IS THE RIGHT MOVE.

SO NOW THE GAME FOR THOSE GUYS, AT THE FRONT GROUP, TO FIGURE OUT THE STRATEGY HOW TO GET RID OF THEM CAMERAS OUT TO THE RIDER HERE SHORTLY BUT THIS IS REALLY ON HOYLA AND HAMILTON.

SKUJINS IS NOT GOING TO HELP THEM.

SO THEY'VE GOT TO LINK UP HERE POWLESS JUST GOT BACK THEY GOT THREE GUYS.

THIS THEY HAVE TO CALM THEMSELVES DOWN GET BACK INTO RHYTHM.

>> 6.5 MILES TO GO.

THIS IS THE FRONT OF THE CARAVAN I THINK STILL TRYING TO FIND THE RIDERS FROM THE HELICOPTER.

THEY'RE SAYING SEVEN SECONDS, ..

I THINK SEVEN SECONDS IS ACCURATE.

THERE HE IS RIGHT THERE.

LOOKING STRONG.

THEY'VE DEFINITELY BROUGHT A STRONG TEAM THIS YEAR.

THE QUESTION IS WHERE IS HAMILTON AND SKUJINS.

THAT LAST MOVE, HE PUT IN A BIG EFFORT AND THRN THEY BE ATTACKED ON TOP OF IT.

>> I LOVE THOSE EFFORTS.

EVEN POWLESS DIDN'T KNOW HOW MUCH HE HAD LEFT.

IT'S LIKE DRIVING A CAR WITH NO GAS GAUGE.

YOU HOPE YOU HAVE ENOUGH TO GET TO THE NEXT GAS STATION.

>> SKJELMOSE IS THE RIDER SORT OF AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PICTURE HERE.

>> I KEEP GOING BACK TO THE HEAT.

IT IS SO HOT OUT THERE AND THESE GUYS ARE GIVING IT 100%.

THEIR BODY TEMPERATURE IS OFF THE CHARTS.

>> BRUTAL.

AND THEY'RE NOT GETTING ANY WATER BECAUSE THEY'RE IN THE CITY.

WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO GET WATER?

GOING 100 MILES PER HOUR THROUGH THE SPEED ZONES.

>> YOU CAN GET A LITTLE SHADE GOING THROUGH THE SHADED SECTIONS AT LEAST THAT MEANS THE HEAT WON'T BAKE OFFHE PAVEMET AS IT OFTEN DOES IN THESE CIRCUITS.

SOMETIMES IT WILL SAY 90 OR 95 BUT IT FEELS LIKE 105.

MORE RIDERS WORKING THEIR WAY BACK THROUGH THE LINE THAT'S GOING TO BE LIKE THE THIRD OR FOURTH GROUP ON THE ROAD SAW THEM RIDING THE FRONT EARLIER BUT THEY'LL RESIGN TO THIS GROUP NOW.

>> DID WE JUST SEE THE WINNING MOVE OR DO WE HAVE ANOTHER MOVE COMING UP I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THIS RACE HAS BEEN ALL OVER THE MAP MAP.

>> ANOTHER LOOK AT SKJELMOSE AND COMPANY IF THE FRONT.

THE SCOAR IS REALLY ABOUT HUGO, HAMILTON AND TOM SKUJINS BACK BEHIND THEM BUT THAT'S WHO I LA RIGHT THERE WHO HAS BEEN PICKED UP BY NEILSEN POWLESS.

ING THIS THE CHASE GROUP AND THESE GUYS ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL.

>> THE GAP IS NO THE THAT BIG.

THIS GUY IS CRUISING.

THESE GUYS ARE GOING FALL OVER IF THEY GO ANY SLOWER.

>> DID WE JUST SEE THE WINNING MOVE OR DOES SOMEBODY HAVE ANOTHER CARD?

>> IT WON'T BE SKUJINS... >> IT COULD BE.

HE MIGHT WANT TO GO 1-2.

I WOULDN'T PUT PAST HIM FEELING THAT GOOD, THAT CONFIDENT.

I'M SEEING CONFIDENCE HERE.

THESE GUYS ARE FEELING THAT GOOD ABOUT HOW THEY'RE RACING AS A TOO MANY I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF HE ATTACKS THESE GUYS ON THE SAME PITCH WHERE HE DROPPED THEM BEFORE.

HE HAS BEEN SAVING ENERGY, RELAXING, LOOKING FOR NAT SPOT.

YOU CAN SEE THESE GUYS ARE NOT FEELING GOOD.

ARE THEY ALL COMMITTED TO SECOND?

IT COULD BE?

BUT THEY'RE NOT GETTING SECOND.

>> NOW IT LOOKS LIKE POWLESS MIGHT BE THE FRESHEST GUY IN THE GROUP WEE.

SAW HIM CRACK ONCE ALREADY.

THESE GUYS ARE ALL JUST COMPLETELY BROKEN IN THE CHASE GROUP.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE IS ANYONE THAT IS GOING HAVE THE LEGS TO TRY TO MATCH.

BUT THE DANISH NATIONAL CHAMPION, ON HIS FINAL LAP OUT HERE MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC AS HE IS JUST A FEW MILES AWAY FROM A VICTORY IN BALTIMORE.

>> 4.3 MILES TO GO.

I CAN SEE SKUJINS GOING ACROSS.

NOT ACROSS HIS TEAMMATE.

MAYBE.

I MEAN GOT TO THINK ABOUT IT, YOU KNOW HOW TIRED THESE LEG ARE?

I FEEL LIKE EVERY TIME THEY PAN BACK... >> THIS IS NOT THE WAY A GROUP ABOUT TO CATCH A SOLO RIDER IS GOING TO RIDE.

THEY'RE TRYING TO RECOMPOSE THEMSELVES, FIGURE OUT WHAT IS NEXT.

CAN THEY GET BACK THERE I WOULD SAY BY THE BODY LANGUAGE, NOT.

CAN THEY GET A SECOND?

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO WITH THIS, YOU KNOW I HAVE BEEN IN A SITUATION WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU CAN'T WIN THE RACE BUT DO YOU WANT TO STILL GET ON THE PODIUM AND WHAT DO HAVE YOU DO NEXT?

YOU HAVE TO REEVALUATE THE SITUATION.

MIGHT BE WHAT THEY'RE DOING RIGHT NOW.

I ALWAYS WANT IN MY MIND, ALWAYS RACE FOR THE WIN, IF I GET FOURTH, I DON'T CARE.

I'M GOING FOR THE WIN.

>> TRYING TO SALVAGE THE DAY HERE, AT LEAST FOR SOME OF THE RIDER IN THIS GROUP.

UP TO A MINUTE FIVE FOR SKJELMOSE AND NOW THE LATEST CHECK IF THAT IS ACCURATE, THIS GUY IS GONE.

>> BUT HOW UNCONVENTIONAL.

ON PAPER HE BASICALLY ATTACKED TO CATCH HIS TEAMMATE TO WIN THE RACE.

BUT IT WORKED.

IT THROUGH ENOUGH OF A DYSFUNCTION IN THE GROUP THAT THEY TOOK A BETTER HAND BUS THEY WERE SITTING AT 15 SECONDS, RIGHT FOR ALL W KNEW, THE OTHER GUYS WERE LETTING HIM SIT AT 15 SECONDS.

SO THAT COULD BE WHAT THEY SAW, WHAT HE FELT.

WE ARE NOT IN THE RACE SO WE CAN'T FEEL THAT.

>> SO MUCH OF THIS IS JUST THE DYNAMIC IN THE GROUP.

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT YOU LOOK FOR AS A WELL INFORMED RIDER.

YOU LOOK FOR THE BODY LANGUAGE, THE WAY THEY'RE RIDING, THE TACTICS TRYING TO GAME IT OUT AND READ AS MUCH AS YOU CAN.

BACK TO THE POKER THING.

THE TELLS YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

ARE THEY BLUFFING, DO THEY REALLY HAVE IT IN THEM?

SKJELMOSE BLUFFED THEM ALL TODAY.

HE PROBABLY WENT ON THE RADIO AND SAID GUYS, THESE GUYS ARE HOLDING THEM AT 15 SECONDS, I CAN TELL WE ARE NOT GOING HARD ENOUGH.

LET ME GO ACROSS.

THEY PROBABLY HAD A DISCUSSION, TALKED IT OUT AND SAID ALL RIGHT.

AROUND THE CORNER, GO WITH IT.

IT ALMOST BARBING FIRED BECAUSE IT BROUGHT EVERYBODY BACK TOGETHER BUT HE IS WAS THE STRONGEST RIDE AT THE MOMENT.

THEY KEPT PLAYING THE GAME AND ATTACKING UNTIL THEY FOUND THE RIGHT SOLUTION.

AT THREE MILES TO GO, THE BEST QUESTION IS WHAT IS BEST BEHIND SKJELMOSE HERE.

THAT WILL DETERMINE SECOND AND THIRD AS THIS GUY CONTINUES TO PUT TIME IN THE BREAKAWAY.

HE WILL HAVE TIME TO STOP, GRAB A CELEBRATORY BEER AND THEN CHEER ON HIS TEAMMATE TOM SKUJINS BEHIND HIM.

>> I'M PUTTING MY MONEY ON SKUJINS.

HE HAS BEEN SITTING THERE FRESH.

HERE IS WHERE HE ATTACKED LAST TIME.

SKUJINS I COULD HAVE RIGHT HERE, LOOK AT THAT.

LOOK AT THE CHANGE.

HARD TO SEE ON THE CAMERA BUT THERE IS A BIG PITCH RIGHT HERE.

HE IS FIGHTING THE BIKE.

TWO BRUTAL ATTACKS, SPERNT A LOT OF TIME OUT IN FRONT TODAY AND THOSE THREE CHASERS LEFT BEHIND HIM HAVE BEEN STAYING PRETTY CALM.

THEY ARE REPORTING HIM OUT OF THAT GROUP SO IT SOUNDS LIKE SKUJINS HAS BEEN DROPPED BY WHO I LAXER HAMILTON AND POWLESS.

AND I'M NOT AND I'M NOT SEEING HIM IN THE CAMERA.

I THINK IT IS IT FOR TOM SKUJINS.

IT IS ALL IN FOR SKJELMOSE.

BUT HIS ATTACK, THE WINNING MOVE WAS BUILT ON THE BACK OF TOM SKUJINS GOING ALL IN.

SO EVEN IF TOM IS NOT ABLE TO HOLD ON TO THIS GROUP, IT WILL BE A VICTORIOUS DAY FOR THE LIDL-TREK TEAM.

>> AND HAVE YOU TO THINK ABOUT WHAT CAUSED THE DIFFERENCE.

OF COURSE THAT ATTACK.

THAT, YOU KNOW, SITTING OUT THERE FOR SO MANY MILES.

BUT WHEN THE GAP CAME BACK AND POWLESS HAD TO PUT IN THE MOVE, NO THE ONLY EVERYBODY IN THE GROUP HAVING TO DIG SO DEEP THAT PUT HIM IN A PERFECT POSITION FOR SKJELMOSE TO ABIBLE TO GO IT THE GAP.

TWO AND A HALF MILES TO G. STILL WAITING FOR THE GROUP OF THREE TO JUMP BEHIND HIM.

DOES THAT HAPPEN ON THE LINE?

DOES THAT HAPPEN AT 1K.

IF YOU ARE HOYLA, HAMILTON OR POWLESS, HOW DO YOU WIN OUT OF THAT GROUP.

>> I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IS REALLY A SPRINTER IN THAT GROUP.

I DON'T THINK ANY OF THEM WILL COME TO THE SPRINTS.

I THINK THEY WOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE TRYING TO COME IN ALONE.

THIS IS A STEEP LITTLE GROUP.

COMING INTO-- WHEN THEY COME INTO THE CORNER, IF THEY HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A JUMP.

LOOK AT THE CITY.

THE CITY IS GORGEOUS RIGHT NOW.

WHAT A BACKDROP.

>> LUCKILY FOR SKJMOSE UP THE ROAD, THE BUILDINGS CREATING A CANYON, SHELTERING HIM FROM SOME OF THE WIND.

GOOD NEWS FOR A SOLO RIDER.

>> AND HE IS OUT OF SIGHT.

>> THE BUILDINGS HELPING TO HIDE HIM IN WHAT IS NOW 1:45 GAP FOR MATTIAS SKJELMOSE.

>> HOW QUICKLY IT CHANGES.

WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THERE IS A TACTICAL REASON THESE THINGS ARE HAPPEN.

FOR IT TO OPEN UP TO 1:45, YES THERE IS A PHYSICAL ASPECT TO IT AND EMOTIONAL PART THAT THESE GUYS ARE REALLY OUT THERE, WHO WANTS IT MORE?

WHO HAS IT MORE?

AND HERE THEY ARE.

LOOK AT THIS.

THEY A TIRED.

THESE LEGS, THEY'RE COMING IN, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE NOT DEPHOTO DEFEAT YOU HAD ABOUT IT THEY HAVE HAD A HARD DAY AND THINKING HOW AM I GOING TO GET SECOND.

ONE OF THESE GUYS IS NOT GOING TO MAKE THE PODIUM.

THAT'S IMPORTANT TO A LOT OF THE RIDERS.

1.4 MILES TO G. IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE A WINNER.

NOW HE IS GOING TO ADD THE MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC.

ALL SKJELMOSE HAS TO D IS SURVIVE THE FINAL 1.1 MILES OF RACING.

YOU KNOW THIS FEELINGY WITH.

WHEN YOU ARE IN THE LAST MILES... MAYBE NOT AS A SPRINTER.

THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF SCENARIOS WHEN KNOWING YOU ARE A MILE OUT BUT YOU KNOW WHEN YOU WIN THE BIKE RACE.

>> I'VE HAD THE FEELINGS AND YOU KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE THE WIN AND THOSE ARE BEAUTIFUL MOMENTS WHEN YOU CAN JUST RIDE IT IN.

RARELY DID I HAVE THIS OCCASION BECAUSE I WAS LITERALLY COMING AROUND THE GUY AT THE END.

IT'S FUN TO SEE RIDER IN THIS RACE.

YOU ARE LOOKING AT HIM RIGHT THERE.

STATISTICS DON'T LIE.

HIS RECORD DOESN'T LIE.

AND HE IS PUTTING THAT RECORD TO-- HE IS SHOWING US WHY.

LOOK.

HE IS STANDING ON THE PEDALS.

HE IS DANCING ON THE PEDALS.

>> THIS IS WHY.

EVEN WITH 1:45 LEAD, THIS GUY STILL PUTTING TIME THIS.

THIS IS A STAGE RACER THROUGH AND THROUGH.

>> NOT ONLY A STAGE RACER BUT A GUY THAT KNOWS HOW TO WIN.

YOU KNOW.

WHAT WE SAW BACK THERE WAS BEAUTIFUL.

THE TACTICS BEHIND IT, THE TEAMWORK, THE SACRIFICE.

HERE HE COMES.

GREAT CHAMPION TO HAVE HERE AT THE MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC BECAUSE HE THANKS THE STEED UNDERNEATH HIM.

THE TREK THAT WILL GUIDE HIM TO VICTORY TODAY AT THE MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC PRESENTED BY GREAT CHAMPION TO HAVE HERE AT THE MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC BECAUSE HE THANKS THE STEED UNDERNEATH HIM.

THE TREK THAT WILL GUIDE HIM TO VICTORY TODAY AT THE MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC PRESENTED BY UNITED HEALTHCARE.

NEXT STEP IS TO SEE THE CAT AND MOUSE BEHIND.

LOOK AT THAT.

HE IS MOVING.

WHAT A GREAT YEAR FOR THE LIDL-TREK TEAM AND MATTIAS SKJELMOSE WITH A WIN.

GREAT CLASSIC RESULTS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AS WELL.

SECOND, NINTH AND NOW HE CAN ADD THE MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC TO HIS RESUME.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

THAT WAS A RIDE.

WOW.

WITH HANDS IN THE AIR FOR THE LIDL-TREK TEAM YOUR WINNER AT THE SECOND EDITION OF THE MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC.

>> THAT IS A WIN.

>> DOMINANT FASHION.

>> LOOK AT THIS.

POWLESS.

PLAYING A LITTLE TACTICAL.

>> GOING WIDE, THESE GUYS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH PLACE.

ONE GUY GETTING CAUGHT OUT OF THE PODIUM.

>> HE DOESN'T WANT TO LEAD IT OUT.

FILE HE IS THE FASTEST GUY IN THE GROUP.

>> FOR SURE.

THIS IS A GAME OF MUSICAL CHAIRS RIGHT NOW.

WHO CAN BE THE LAST GUY TO BE LAST IN LINE POWLESS IS IN THE BEST POSITION RIGHT NOW.

YOU WANT TO ATTACK FROM THE BACK OF THE GROUP AND THAT'S WHERE HE IS SITTING SO IF POWLESS WANTS TO STAY THERE, HOPEFULLY FOR HIM THEY WON'T FORCE HIM TO GET BACK UP.

>> COMING AROUND THE LAST CORNER, HE IS LAST POSITION, PERFECT POSITION, IT'S A SLOW SPRINT AND THAT IS HARD.

WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN OUT THERE FOR SO LONG, HAVE YOU TO PICK THE RIGHT GEAR.

YOU CAN'T BE OVERGEARED BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET UP TO SPEED.

YOU CAN'T BE UNDERGEARED.

>> HAMILTON WAITING FOR THE SPRINT, HOYLA WAITING FOR THE SPRINT.

THEY KNOW WHAT IS COMING.

WAITING AROUND FOR POWLESS TO LAUNCH.

NOT YET.

>> HAMILTON STILL LOOKING BACK.

THIS IS ALL ABOUT CATCHING THESE GUYS OFF GUARD.

THAT'S WHY THEY'RE WATCHING.

POWLESS IS GOING TO BE IN A TOUGH SPOT.

IT LOOKS LIKE A MATCH SPRINT ON THE TRACK.

IT DOES.

POWLESS HAS GIVEN HIMSELF SOME ROOM TO WORK WITH.

HOW DO YOU SURPRISE HIM?

IF YOU ARE AT THE FRONT, YOU WAIT UNTIL THE MOMENT WHERE YOU FEEL HAVE YOU TO GO.

IF YOU WAIT TOO LONG, AND FROM THE BACK, HAVE YOU TO SURPRISE THEM.

HE NEEDS TO PICK A MOMENT WHERE THEY LOOK BACK.

AND AS SOON AS THEY LOOK FORWARD, YOU GO.

YOU WANT TO TIME IT PERFECTLY.

SEE THE LOOK BACK.

ALL THOSE LOOK BACKS?

DON'T WANT TO GO WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING BACK.

>> RIGHT AFTER.

POWLESS WILL HAVE TO GO TO THE RIGHT.

I DON'T THINK HE WILL HAVE A CLEAN LINE TO THE LEFT.

>> WOW.

BOOM.

>> NEILSEN POWLESS GOES ON THE ATTACK FROM 200 METERS OUT.

AND HE WILL HOLD ON FOR A SILVER MEDAL IN MARYLAND.

HOYLA HOLDING ON FOR THIRD AND JAYCO WITH LUCAS HAMILTON FOR FOURTH.

HE WAS OUTNUMBERED, GOT DROPPED.

INTERESTING TO SEE WHEER TOM SKUJINS ENDS UP FOR THE DAY I THINK HE IS A HAPPY MAN.

YOU WANT YOUR TEAM TO WIN THAT WAS ALMOST THE EXACT CELEBRATION I WAS TALKING ABOUT FROM LAGUNA.

>> HE IS A HAPPY MAN.

>> NICE.

HIS TEAM WON.

THEY PLAYED IT SO WELL.

>> MISSION ACCOMPLISHED FOR THE LIDL-TREK TM.

COULD NOT HAVE GONE ANY BETTER FOR THEM.

THE WIN FOR SKJELMOSE WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THAT MOVE BY SKUJINS BECAUSE SKJELMOSE'S SPRAWTION WAS SET UP OFF THE BACK OF SKUJINS' MOVE.

I GOT TO THINK THEY HAD THAT ONE PLANNED.

THAT SEEMS TOO PERFECT TO BE A COINCIDENCE.

>> I THINK WHAT THEY REALLY HAD PLANS, THEY WANTED TO SAY IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE GIVING YOU A GAP LET ME COMACROSS AND LET ME HELP YOU BUT THAT TELLS YOU THEY HAD SOMETHING LEFT.

THE FACT THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO CLOSE THE GAP TELLS ME THEY HAD SOMETHING LEFT.

SO HE PLAYED THE RIGHT MOVE IF THEY LEFT HIM OUT THERE LONGER, MAYBE THIS WHOLE SCENARIO WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT.

FANS IN BALTIMORE AWAITING THE REST OF THE RIDER TO MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH.

WE'LL GET TO THE PODIUM PRESENTATIONS AS WELL.

WHAT A WAY FOR A LOT OF THESE GUYS GETTING DOWN TOWARD THE END OF THE SEASON, A NICE WAY TO GO OUT AT THE END OF THE YEAR FOR THE LIDL-TREK SQUAD.

>> A GREAT WAY TO GO OUT AND THE OTHER THING IS, YOU PUT EVERYTHING INTO THE RACE, YOU HAVE BEEN OUT THERE FOR OVER FIVE HOURS, SUFFERING, 97°.

YOU PUT EVERYTHING ON THE LINE AND YOU FINISH THIS RACE AND YOU ARE BACK ALIVE.

YOU HAVE AUTOY WON THE RACE.

>> HE LOOKS LIKE HE WENT OUT FOR AN EASY RIDE.

HE LOOKS FRESH AS A DAISY OUT THERE.

MEANWHILE, THE OTHER GUYS AROUND THE TV COMPOUND NOT LOOKING SO FRESH.

>> YOU KNOW I'VE ALWAYS SAID THAT ABOUT BIKE RACING.

WHEN I TELL PEOPLE, WHEN I'VE WON BY MIG BIGGEST RACES, I DIDN'T GIVE IT 100%.

I TACTALLY GAVE IT 100%.

MENTALLY 100% BUT MAYBE I DIDN'T HAVE TO PUT ALL MY EGGS IN THERE.

I FOUND THE RIGHT SOLUTION, RIGHT SOLUTION DOESN'T MEAN 100% >> THE RIGHT SOLUTION IS THE MOST EFFICIENT SOLUTION.

THE LAZIEST PEOPLE I KNOW YOU PROFESSIONAL BIKE RACERS.

>> REALLY LAYY.

HOW TO SAVE AN OUNCE.

>> BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF THE HARBOR HERE.

WHAT A BACKDROP FOR A FINISH, HUH?

>> WHAT A GREAT PLACE TO END BIG TIME SPORTS IN DOWNTOWN BALTIMORE.

CAMDEN YARDS RIGHT THERE, STARTING TO FILL UP HERE AS THE NUMBER ONE RANKED BALTIMORE ORIOLES CONTINUE TO THEIR CAMPAIGN.

>> HAVE YOU TO REMEMBER BALTIMORE HELD THE FIRST U.S. PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS SO THERE IS HISTORY HERE FOR BIKE RACING.

>> THE REST OF THE GROUP SPRINTED OUT.

LEGION GOING TO THE LINE HERE.

>> THAT'S A GREAT RIDE FOR THEM.

>> I LOVE IT.

BEING SURROUNDED BY WORLD TOUR RIDERS.

THAT'S IMPRESSIVE WHAT A DAY FOR THESE GUYS.

HOW IT PLAYED OUT, PERFECT WEATHER.

THERE'S MATTEO.

TEAM USA KIT.

HAD BIG EXPECTATIONS BUT SOMETIMES HAVE YOU TO CHOKE IT UP TO THE WAY THINGS PLAYED OUT.

>> IT'S TOUGH ON YOUR OWN.

>> THAT'S NOT TO SAY THESE GUYS WHO DIDN'T MAKE THE SELECTION AREN'T GOOD BIKE RACERS OR DON'T HAVE THE LEGS.

SO MUCH OF IT IS JUST TIMING AND I HATE TO SAY LUCK BECAUSE THESE GUYS ARE THE BEST AT WHAT THEY DO LIKE THE BEST GUY WON TODAY, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT BUT HE WAS ALSO IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME.

>> HAVE YOU TO PICK THE MOMENTS AND HE PROBABLY PICKED A MOMENT THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT AND YOU CAN'T FOLLOW EVERYTHING BECAUSE HE'S ALONE.

BUT AGAIN, YOU KNOW, OUR SECOND PLACE FINISHER AMERICAN.

RANKED 16th IN THE WORLD.

GET EXTRA POINTS HERE AND MAY BE MOVING UP IN THE RANKING.

SO PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.

WE HAVE SOME AMAZING U.S. RIDERS RIGHT NOW.

>> HUGO HOYLA IN THIRD PLACE, THE CANADIAN LUCAS HAMILTON HOLDING ON TO FOURTH WITH TEAM JAYCO AND RIDE OF THE DAY, FIFTH PLACE INHE SOLO BREAKAWAY STARTED THE MOVE AND STILL HELD ON FOR A TOP FIVE RIDE.

>> THAT WAS IT.

THAT TEAMWORK, THAT EFFICIENCY, EVEN THOUGH IT LOOKED CHAOTIC BECAUSE WE THOUGHT WHAT ARE THEY DOING?

AND LOOK AT THE FINISH.

>> GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHO WAS AWARDED THE RX BENEFITS MOST INSPIRATIONAL JERSEY'S RIDER TODAY.

I THINK YOU KNOW WHO OUR VOTE GOES TO.

>> WE KNOW WHO WE THINK SHOULD HAVE THAT JERSEY.

>> SOWFNED LIKE WE'VE-- SOUNDS LIKE WOVE' GOT OUR RACE WINNERS DOWN ON COURSE.

LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GO DOWN TO RAHSAAN BAHATI AS HE TRIES TO AB A WORD WITH OUR RIDERS AT THE FINISH LINE.

>> I'M HERE WITH THE 2023 WINNER OF THE MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC.

HOW DOES IT SNEEL.

>> I'M REALLY HAPPY.

THIS RACE IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE LILD LIDL-TREK TEAM TO WIN HERE AND REALLY SHOWING GREAT TEAMWORK IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US AND TO TAKE THE WIN IS GREAT.

>> I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO TOM HE TALKED ABOUT 1-2, 1-2 HITTING GUYS LEFT AND RIGHT.

AT THE END OF THE RACE YOU GUYS HAD NUMBERS HOW DID THAT WORK OUT.

>> TOM AND I WERE BOTH SUPER STRONG.

EITHER ONE OF US COULD WIN.

TOM MADE A GOOD ATTACK AND I WAS WAITING FOR MY MOMENT AND IT FINALLY HAPPENED TOWARD THE END.

AS TOM SAYS BEFORE THE RACE, WE WIN 1-2 ALL THE TIME.

JUST PLAYING EACH OTHER GOOD.

IF YOU CAN SAY IT LIKE THIS AND THEN THE GUYS GO BEHIND WHEN I ATTACKED THE LAST TIME.

>> YOU HAVE HAD A FANTASTIC YEAR, TOUR de SWISS, RECENY ON THE PODIUM WITH YOUR COUNTRY MATE IN DENMARK.

HOW DOES THIS RANK AMONG SOME OF THE VICTORIES YOU'VE HAD THIS YEAR?

>> IT'S SPECIAL BECAUSE AS I SAID BEFORE, IT'S A BIG RACE FOR TREK THAT NOT SO MANY AMERICAN RACES LEFT AND TO BE ABLE TO PERFORM HERE AND REALLY GIVE A GOOD SHOW, NOT ONLY WINNING IS REALLY SPECIAL FOR US.

SO IT'S RIGHT UP THERE WITH THE TOUR de SWISS AND NATIONAL WIN.

>> WE LOVE WATCHING YOU HERE AND WE HOPE YOU COME BACK TO THE AMERICAN CYCLING CLASSIC.

-- MARYLAND PSYCH.

>> THANK YOU.

WOULD I LOVE TO.

IT'S AN AMAZING COUNTRY.

>> A WORTHY WINNER TODAY.

>> THAT'S FOR SURE.

NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

SKJELMOSE HAVING A GREAT YEAR WITH THAT LITTLE TREK TEAM-- LIDL-TREK TEAM.

>> YOU HEARD HIM SAY IT, PLAYING OFF EACH OTHER.

THEY KNOW HOW TO PLAY THE GAME.

LIKE I ALWAYS SAID, TO ME BIKE RACING, THE THING I LOVE ABOUT BIKE RACING, IT'S A FUN GAME.

>> STRATEGY TO IT.

>> IT'S A FUN GAME THAT ONCE YOU REALLY GET INTO IT AND IT'S FUN SHARING IT WITH THE CROWD, SHARING WITH PEOPLE LEARNING FIRST TIME WATCHIN THIS RACE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS WHAT CYCLING IS ABOUT.

THIS IS THE BUTY ABOUT IT.

THIS TACTICAL, THIS HAR WORK, THIS JUST GRIT, SOMETIMES GUYS HAVE TO PUT OUT.

POWLESS DID AT THAT MOMENT TO TRY TO BRING THAT BACK.

HE LITERAL I-- LITERALLY HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR A MINUTE AND PLUG THE ENGINE-- IT WAS IMPRESSIVE TO COME BACK AND GET SECOND AGAIN.

>> THIS COURSE, ONCE AGAIN, DELIVERS AN EXCITING RACE AND LOOKING FORWARD TO YEAR 3 NEXT YEAR BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN TWO VERY DIFFERENT ENDINGS TO THE RACE INTO BALTIMORE HERE AND YEAR THREE NEXT YEAR IS SAID TO BE ANOTHER EXCITING ONE.

>> STARTING TO SEE A REAL CLASS #EUBG.

MALAND CLASSIC.

AND THE AMOUNT OF RIDERS WE SAW TOWARD THE FINISH.

HOW MANY GUYS MADE IT TO THE FINISHING CIRCUIT BECAUSE THAT WAS OUR BIG QUESTION, YOU KNOW, CAN WE GET NUMBERS INTO THE FINISH.

AND WE DID.

>> MORE AND MORE TEAMS STARTING TO FIGURE IT OUT, WHICH MEANS MORE AND MORE TEAMS STARTING TO TAKE THE MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC A LITTLE MORE SERIOUSLY, SPENDING A LITTLE MORE TIME ON TACTICS AND RESEARCH AS THEY LOOK FOR A VICTORY HERE.

VERY VALUABLE AMERICAN MARKET.

WHO DOESN'T WANT TO GET A WIN FOR THEIR SPONSORS IN THE UNITED STATES?

AND THAT WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THEY GOT FROM THE DIRECTORS.

THIS YEAR THEY DIDN'T COME BACK AND UNDERESTIMATE THE RACE.

THEY KNEW IT WAS A TOUGH RACE.

THEY SENT A REALLY STRONG TEAM.

THEY KNEW THEY HAD TO SEND A STRONG TEAM AND THEY DID.

>> A LOT OF STRONG TEAMS SHIFTING THEIR ROFTERS AWAY FROM SPRINTERS TO ALL AROUNDER GUYS.

>> ONE-DAY.

>> LIKE A NEILSEN POWLESS AND SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

LESSON LEARNED FROM YEAR ONE IN 2022.

CORRECTED FOR 23 AND LIDL-TREK GETS IT RIGHT WITH SKJELMOSE.

SO NOW WE ARE IN A SITUATION... LOOK AT THAT TACTIC.

>> THIS IS POWLESS JUMPING FOR SECOND PLACE.

AND YOU GOT REMEMBER, THOSE GUYS HAVE BEEN WATCHING POWLESS FOR LIKE A MINUTE AND A HALF WAITING FOR THAT MOVE TO COME.

>> DID YOU SEE HOW MANY TIMES THEY LOOKED BACK AND AS SOON AS THEY LOOKED FORWARD, HE WAS GONE.

>> ALMOST PREDICTABLE.

>> BUT THAT IS ONE OF THE LITTLE THINGS YOU LEARN AS A BIKE RACER.

ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS OF HAVING YOU IN THE BOOTH, FOUR-TIME U.S. PROFESSIONAL ROAD NATIONAL CHAMP YOP, LITTLE TELLS THAT YOU LOOK FOR AND POWLESS GOT IT RIGHT TODAY OUT OF THAT GROUP.

NOT THE RESULT HE WAS LOOKING FOR, BUT SECOND PLACE NOT BAD.

>> NOT BAD AND ANOTHER SITUATION WHERE HE IS PUT INTO, EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT FOR THE WIN, IT'S WINNING THE SPRINT.

SO NOW HE HAS ANOTHER LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO FOR THE NEXT TIME HE IS IN THAT WINNING SITUATION.

IT ALL WORKS OUT IN THE LONG RUN.

>> TOM SKUJINS IN FIFTH PLACE WITH HIS TEAMMATE MATAS SKJELMOSE AND HAMILTON HAVING A GREAT DAY.

THEY'RE GOING TO GET LOST IN THE SHUFFLE OF THE STORY OF THE DAY, BUT HOYLA AND HILTON CAN WALK AWAY WITH THEIR HEADS HELD HIGH.

IN THE WNING MOVE IN THE BIG TIME BIKE RACE OF THE MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC.

>> WE FELT THEY HAD THE STRONGEST TEAM, THEY HAD THE NUMBERS.

>> THE HAD SIMON YATES HEADED INTO THIS ONE.

EF GETS UPHERE AS WELL FOR THE EF EDUCATION-EASYPOST SQUAD IN THE SIXTH.

SCOTT MAGILL TOP0 RIDE FOR A MARYLAND RIDER INTO SEVENTH FOR THE HUMAN POWERED HEALTH TEAM FROM FALLSTON MARYLAND.

HE CAN BE PUMPED WITH THAT RESULT.

>> NOT ONLY CAN HE BE PUMPED BUT THIS IS A QUALITY RIDER.

WE HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE ON THIS KID.

HE IS THE NEXT LEVEL FOR US.

>> AND MAGILL RAN A FULL CYCLE ACROSS CAMPAIGN LAST YEAR SO I HAVE TO IMAGINE HE WILL BE GETTING READY TO SHIFT BACK OVER TO LACROSSE SEASON NOW.

WRAP UP AND GET READY TO PUT ON THICKER TIRES.

>> HE HATS THE FOUNDATION TO HAVE A GOOD SEASON.

>> AND GOOD FITNESS INTO ING THAT SEASON.

HOPEFULLY HE GETS A LITTLE TIME OFF TO RECOVER, GET SOME REST, SPEND SOME TIME WITH FRIEND AND FAMILY AFTER A LONG SEASON ON THE ROAD.

A LOT OF TIMES YOU DON'T GET TO SEE THE FOLKS UNTIL SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER WHEN YOUR SEASON STARTS TO WRAP UP.

>> YEAH, I REMEMBER THIS RACE IS SO TOUGH.

YOU CANNOT HIDE IN THIS RACE.

IF YOU HAVE A GOOD RESULT HERE, THIS IS A REAL DEL.

IF YOU ARE ON ONE OF THOSE LOWER TIER TEAMS AND YOU ARE IN A TOP 10, THIS IS WHERE YOU GET NOTICED.

A TEAM LIKE LIDL-TREK LOOKS AT THE LIST AND SAYS PAIN WE COULD USE THAT BUY IN OUR SQUAD NEXT YEAR.

>> DEFINITELY.

LOOK AT SOMEBODY LIKE SCOTT, FOR ME, IF I WAS A DIRECTOR, AND I WANTED A GOOD WORKER, A GOOD LEADER, A GOOD TEAMMATE, I WOULD BE LOOKING AT HIM.

>> YEAH.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF TALENT IN THE REALLY TOP 20 IN THAT SELECTION THAT I THINK A LOT OF THESE WORLD TOUR TEAMS COULD USE IN THEIR CAMPAIGNS.

LET'S GO BACK TO RAHSAAN BAHATI ON COURSE WITH ANOTHER PODIUM FIRN ISSUE-- FINISHER, RAHSAAN.

(INAUDIBLE).

>> STILL TRYING TO GET... >> AND HAIR-- AND HARRISON WOOD... >> ALL RIGHT, I'M READY.

RAHSAAN, WE'VE GOT YOU HERE.

>> THE END OF THE RACE WAS AMAZING.

I'M HERE WITH NEILSEN POWLESS.

IT DIDN'T WORK OUT IN YOUR FAVOR.

TELL ME ABOUT IT.

>> ANOTHER AGGRESSIVE HARD RACING IN BALTIMORE.

SOMETHING ABOUT THE COURSE MAKES THE RACE VERY SELECTIVE AND PROBABLY THE HEAT AND THE HILLY TERRAIN OUT IN THE COUNTRY SIDE, BUT WHEN WE GOT TO THE END, IT WAS A SLUG FEST AND, YEAH, I WAS A LITTLE BIT OUTNUMBERED BY A FEW OTHER TEAMS THERE, JAYCO AND TREK BOTH CAME INTO THE FINAL CIRCUIT WITH TWO RIDERS AND I WAS ON MY OWN, BUT MY TEAM DID A REALLY GOOD JOB I THINK WE DECIDED THE RACE COMING AROUND THE RESERVOIR, PRETTY BOY RESERVOIR, I THINK WE WERE THE ONES THAT MADE THAT REAL FIRST SELECTION.

AND, YEAH I DID ONE BETTER THAN LAST YEAR BUT UNFORTUNATELY ONE PLACE OFF OF THE TOP STEP.

>> I FOE IT'S-- I KNOW CROSSING THE FINISH LINE FOR SECOND PLACE, IT WAS AMAZING.

IS IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU COULD HAVE CHANGED IN THE IF I NATIONAL TOE MAKE SURE THE LIDL-TREK GUYS DIDN'T GET AWAY FROM YOU?

>> IT WAS GOING TO BE A TOUGH FIGHALWAYS, SKUJINS AND SKJELMOSE ARE INCREDIBLY TOUGH RIDERS.

WHEN WE CAME INTO THE CIRCUIT AND THERE WITH TWO OF THEM AND I WAS ON MY OWN, I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A TOUGH RACE TO TRY TO BEAT THEM BECAUSE THEY CAN 1 HF 2 YOU THE WHOLE TIME AND, YEAH IN THE SEND, SKJELMOSE WAS JUST A BIT TOO STRONG BUT I THINK I GOT THE BEST RESULTS I COULD HAVE HAD TODAY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU GUYS LOOKED GOOD.

RODE A REAL GOOD RACE.

CAME UP A LITTLE SHORT BUT WE HOPE TO HAVE YOU BACK HERE AT THE MARYLAND CLIK NEXT YEAR.

>> THANKS.

>> DISAPPOINTING DAY FOR NEILSEN POWLESS BUT SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOT TO FIND THE SILVER LINING IN >> YEAH, COME BACK NEXT YEAR.

ONE MORE PODIUM.

I MEAN HE IS A COMPETITOR.

HE IS A WINNER, HE KNOWS HOW TO WIN.

AND WE'LL SEE HIM BACK HERE.

>> REMEMBER WE ALSO SAW OUR STATE OF MARYLAND KING OF THE MOUNTAIN COMPETITION, WHERE DAVID LOZANO WON THE FIRST TWO OF THE DAY.

THAT WAS ENOUGH TO LOCK HIM INTO THE STATE OF THE MARYLAND KING OF THE MOUNTAIN COMPETITION SO HE WILL BE THE POLKA DOT JERSE WINNER.

DAVID LOZANO IS OUR STATE OF MARYLAND KING OF THE MOUNTAIN JERSEY.

GREAT RESULT.

THEY'RE GOING WALK AWAY WITH THE JERSEY FROM THE CYCLING CLASSIC.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED FOR THAT SQUAD.

>> VERY AGGRESSIVE.

PLAYED IT WELL, SMART MOVES.

>> LOZANO BEATING SEVIA TO THE LINE FAIR AND SQUARE.

SEVIA GAVE HIM A GOODUN FOR HIS MONEY BOTH TIMES.

LOZANO BEAT HIM STRAIGHT UP TO THE LINE BOTH TIMES IN THAT SPRINT SO A WORTHY, WORDY WINNER IN OUR STATE OF MARYLAND KING OF THE MOWN TON CHAMPIONS JERSEY COMPETITION.

ALSO BO THE TO START THINKING ABOUT OUR KELLY BENEFITS BEST YOUNG RIDERS JERSEY THE TOP PLACED U-25 RIDER, I BELIEVE ON THE GENERAL CLASSIFICATION.

UNDERSTAND AND I THINK THAT SHOULD STAY WITH SKJELMOSE AT 22 YEARS OLD.

HE WILL NOT ONLY TAKE THE UNITED HEALTHCARE CHAMPION JERSEY BUT THE BEST YOUNG RIDERS JERSEY.

>> IT GOES TO SHOW YOU HOW DEEP THE YOUNG TALENT IS RIGHT NOW.

I'VE NEVER SEEN IT THIS HIGH AT THIS YOUNG OF AN AGE.

>> I'M ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT WAITING TO SEE WHO IS AWARDED THE RX BENEFITS MOST INSPIRATIONAL JERSEY.

>> ARE YOU GOING PROTEST.

>> THERE IS GOING TO BE A RIOT IN THIS BOOTH.

>> DO WE HAVE VETO POWER?

>> WE HAVE NO POWER HERE.

EXPO AREA IN FULL SWING AS WELL.

REALLY GREAT TO SEE BALTIMORE EMBRACING THIS RACE WITH, TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE HISTORY HERE WITH THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, A FINISH TO THE TOUR DETRUMP ONE YEAR, OWE BIG TIME BIKE RACING HAS BEEN IN BALTIMORE BEFORE AND IT'S BACK AND I THINK IT'S HERE TO STAY.

>> I THINK SO.

I MOO ENWHAT I GOT WHAT I GOT FROM THE CROWDS AND THE FANS AND THE PEOPLE I'VE MET, THEY'RE SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

THEY'RE SO NICE.

EVERYBODY IS SO LOVING HERE.

HIVE HAD A VERY GOOD EXPERIENCE HERE.

I'M COMING BACK.

>> WE'LL HAVE TO COME OUT A FEW DAYS EARLY AND DO SOME SIGHTSEEING.

>> YES.

YES.

MAYBE RIDE A LITTLE BIT.

CHECK OUT THEATERFRONT, MAYBE THEY'LL LET US DRIVE A COAST GUARD BOAT AROUND.

>> THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

JUST WAITING ON OUR PODIUM PRESENTATION HERE, GETTING ALL THE RIDER HERE TOGETHER.

FREDDY, NOW YOU KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF WAITING FOR THIS PODIUM.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT?

I DEFINITELY ENJOYED IT.

THANK YOU.

TIME FLEW BY TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH.

>> A LOT EASIER ON THIS SIDE OF THE MIC, ISN'T IT?

>> I DEFINITELY EASIER TIME THAN BEING IN THE PELOTON.

BUT DEFINITELY,YOU KNOW, COMMENTATING THE BACK END, TRYING TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE RACE, IT HAS BEEN REALLY FUN.

REALLY FUN TRYING TO PREDICT AND SEE, GIVE YOU GUYS INFORMATION.

RIDER LOST RIGHT NOW SAYING HOW DO I GET HOME?

>> ANOTHER BATTLE YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

WHERE IS THE T BUS PARKED.

I'VE GOTTEN LOST.

>> YOU ARE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND OTHER PLACE I'VE DONE AN EXTRA HOUR BIKE RIDE TRYING TO GET BACK TO THE HOT.

>> LUCKILY FOR THE RIDERS, THE TEAM HOTEL IS A FEW BLOCKS AWAY.

THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET BACK TO THE HOTEL IF THEY CAN'T FIND A CAR OR VAN.

>> THEY'LL QUICKLY REALIZE WHEN THEY GO BACK UPHILL, THEY'VE GONE TOO FAR.

>> THERE YOU GO.

THAT'S US NEXT YEAR.

CRUISING AROUND IN ONE OF THOSE LITTLE PADDLE BOATS OUT THERE.

>> AND THE FESTIVITIES ARE STILL GOING.

THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE HAVING FUN, ENJOYING THE WEATHER.

IT'S HOT.

IT IS HOT BUT ENJOYING THE HEAT BECAUSE THAT IS NICE, TOO, SOMETIMES.

TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT THERE AND ENJOY THE SUN.

>> ORGANIZERS DID A REALLY GOOD JOB OF TRYING TO ENGAGE SOME OF THE LOCAL FANS HERE IN BALTIMORE, THEY HAD SOME FAN ZONES PRESENTED BY PNC BANK.

YOU SEE ONE RIGHT THERE INCLUDING AT THE FINISH LINE.

THEY HAD ONE AT THE BALTIMORE AQUARIUM AND HARBOR EAST, ONE SET UP AT GILFORD HALL BREWING AND THE START LINE OF THE KELL BENEFITS OUT IN SPARKS AS WELL.

OUR FIRST SHOT OF THE PODIUM WHICH MEANS THE CEREMONY WILL BE L BEGIN SHORTLY.

>> I ALWAYS LOVE THIS PART OF IT.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT MADE THE TRIP OUT AND ARE LISTENING TO USND WANT TO COME OUT NEXT YEAR AND BE ABLE TO YOU KNOW, FEEL THE RACE AND BE PART OF THE RACE, THERE IS A LOT TO DO HERE, A LOT OF FUN STUFF TO DO.

>> AND BRING YOUR BIKE.

PUT THIS ONE ON THE CALENDAR.

COME RIDE.

THE OTHER THING THEY DO REALLY WELL HERE IS GRANTING ACCESS TO THE RIDERS.

WE HAD A LOT OF FANS OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS THAT WERE LOOKING FOR THEIR FAVORITE RIDER THAT WERE COMING TO TOWN AND I THINK THEY'VE ALL BEEN ABLE TO GET THE AUTOGRAPHS AND PICTURES AND STUFF THAT THEY WANTED.

REALLY GREAT ACCESS TO YOUR FAVORITE ATHLETES AS WELL HERE AT THE MAYORAL CYCLING CLASSIC ANOTHER REASON TO COME OUT.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LOCAL BIKE RACE IN 10 YEARS.

I MET SOME 10-YEAR-OLD KIDS THAT WERE VERY ENTHUSIASTIC AND VERY EXCITED ABOUT GETTING INTO THE SPORT AND THEY COULD BE THE NEXT NEILSEN POWLESS.

THEY COULD BE THERE.

WE MET NEILSEN POWLESS' SUPER MAN OWEN LAST NIGHT.

ANOTHER GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE TEAMS, GET SOME FACETIME WITH YOUR FAVORITE RIDERS.

>> THERE YOU GO.

10 YEARS FROM NOW.

>> WE WILL B BOOK-- WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR YOU.

LOOKS LE WE ARE READY TO GO WITH OUR PODIUM PRESENTATION.

LET'S GO DOWN TO DHAD ANDREWS.

-- CHAD ANDREWS.

>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE ARE NOW READY FOR OUR PODIUM PRESENTATION N. IN THIRD PLACE IN OUR BRONZE MEDALIST FOR ISRAEL PREMIER TECH, PLEASE WELCOME HUGO HOYLA.

AL HUTCH INSON TO PRESENT THE FLOWERS.

>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

>> SECOND PCE, OUT OF THE USA, YOUR BIRTHDAY BOY FOR EDUCATION, NEILSEN POWLESS!

AND DAVID WICKMAN FOUR CORNERS FOUNDATION TO PRESENTED THE FLOWERS.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ YOUR 2023 CHAMPION, YOUR GOLD MEDALIST FROM DENMARK, RACING FOR LIDL-TREK, MA TIEIAS SCHEDULE SKJELMOSE FOR LIDL-TREK, MATTIAS SKJELMOSE.

>> THE WHOLE FAMILY!

MAYOR BRANDON SCOTT!

♪ ♪ COMING UP IN JUST A SECOND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOUR TOP THREE!

NOW JOHN KELLY OF KELLY BENEFITS TO PRESENT THE CHAMPAGNE!

ONCE AGAIN, YOUR TOP THREE, HUGO HOULE, ISRAEL PREMIER TECH, NEILSEN POWLESS AND YOUR CHAMPION, LIDL-TREK SKJELMOSE.

WELL, WHAT A DAY AT THE MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC, A FULL DAY OF ACTION WITH 121.8 MILES BUT FREDDY, A WORTHY WINNER AT THE END OF THE DAY TODAY.

>> YES, DEFINITELY WORTHY WINNER AND AMAZING DAY.

HOW FAST TIME FLIES, RIGHT WHEN YOU ARE HAVING FUN.

>> INCREDIBLE ROADS, INCREDIBLE RIDING, INCREDIBLE FANS AND INCREDIBLE DAY.

FOR FREDDY RODRIGUEZ, FINAL FRED SONAR THANKS FOR WATCHING AND SEE YOU NEXT YEAR FOR THE MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC!