Styby had a good showing in his first classic on the road. Our Czech tried to break away in the finale, but the race ended with a traditional sprint in which Zdenek's teammate, Gerald Ciolek, was narrowly edged out by Edvald Boasson Hagen.
Pavel Brutt was the last rider in an early break of five to be caught during the finale. The Russian champion stormed up the Waseberg and was then joined by about ten other riders including the likes of Björn Leukemans and Jürgen Roelandts. And another rider: Zdenek.
Together with teammate Matteo Trentin – who was again present in the finale – Zdenek tried to eliminate the peloton from contention. But it wasn't to be. Following the last climb of the Waseberg, 16 kilometers from the finish, Liquigas brought the race back together.
Favorite André Greipel missed the boat and Ciolek saw an opportunity to seize victory. The German sent Styby and a few others to the front to force the pace and ensure Greipel wouldn't come back. And they did just that. Unfortunately after 216 kilometers, Ciolek was nipped by a very strong Norwegian. Styby crossed the line in 34th.
“What a day,” he said after the race. “This was my first classic. I'm very pleased with my race. I was on the bike for 216 kilometers and I have another 800 to go. I'm going to the Czech Republic for a few days. I'm happy I'm going to see my family again.”