After a disastrous start to the campaign, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team regained strength thanks to a double from Jakob Fuglsang and Michael Woods at the Mercan’Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes, Tuesday, in France.
Posted at 6:26 p.m.
The Danish and Canadian duo took advantage of their numerical superiority in the last group of five riders, 7 km from the finish, to sign a providential victory in the context of a potential relegation next year.
“The start of the season was not easy, we did not have many great performances, so that we are limited in terms of points for the WorldTour classification, which is a bit of the subject of the hour. “, noted Hugo Houle, teammate of Fuglsang and Houle.
After a show of force from Groupama-FDJ, led by Thibaut Pinot in the last Col de Valberg, Woods attacked first, setting up a counter for Fuglsang. This maneuver placed David Gaudu, isolated, in a delicate position. The Groupama climber, for whom Quebecer Antoine Duchesne had sacrificed himself earlier, was forced to hunt with Woods on his luggage rack.
Gaudu only lost time on Fuglsang, paving the way for a first victory for the Dane since his success at the Tour of Lombardy in 2020. After dropping the Frenchman, Woods crossed the line 31 seconds later. This double brought more than 200 UCI points to the Israeli-Quebec team which is fighting to stay in the WorldTour.
Chris Froome contributed to the harvest by finishing 11e (15 points), he who had not shown himself at this level since his serious accident in 2019.
“Obviously, with Jakob Fuglsang winning and Woodsy finishing second, it’s been a great day for the team,” Froome said at the finish. Couldn’t have asked for much more today. We had a plan and that was to toughen up the race, especially on the last three climbs. The guys did a fantastic job. »
“Our start to the season was difficult, with a lot of illnesses, recalled the four-time winner of the Tour de France. The guys are now healthy and we are finally starting to put results on the board. »
This third category event (1.1), which is in its second presentation, is not Liège-Bastogne-Liège. His list of starters was not the toughest. But its elevation gain of almost 5000 meters, the equivalent of a high mountain stage, testifies to its hardness.
Right in the middle of a training course at altitude at the Isola 2000 resort, not far from there, Houle didn’t have very good legs for this Mercan’Tour. “Still, it was going well at camp, but I was not terrible today, admitted the one who took the 35e row, 15 minutes from the winner. Honestly, I had no sensations, no strength. It was a bad day, it happens. »
Quite the opposite of his training, for whom this rebound is promising in anticipation of the Tour de France. “It’s good for morale, especially for Jakob and Mike, for the important races ahead. It always pulls up when there are good performances like that. It will therefore allow, I hope, to get back on the right track for the rest of the season. »
Houle highlighted the contribution of his Quebec teammate James Piccoli, who caused a first selection on the penultimate pass, and his friend Duchesne, who rode to keep the breakaway at a reasonable distance.
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James Piccoli
Duchesne, new dad since the beginning of the month, was returning to competition. He made his own camp at altitude crossing the Alps from his residence near Annecy, with his friend Pinot. They have crossed several passes on the program for the next Tour in which the native of Saguenean obviously wishes to participate. His presence with Pinot and his performance at the Mercan’Tour are in any case a good omen.
Woods also resumed on an excellent basis. “I don’t think we could have played it better than that today, he rejoiced. The goal was to win. Finishing first and second is pretty cool. That’s what we need right now. It’s a good start in preparation for the Tour. »
After this promising appetizer, the Quebec riders must meet at the Tour de Suisse from June 12 to 19. Fuglsang will aim for victory there before lining up for the big start of the Tour de France in Copenhagen, in his native country.
For his part, Froome, trained by Montrealer Paulo Saldanha, turns his eyes towards the Critérium du Dauphiné. “I see a big improvement in recent months,” said the 37-year-old Briton. Right now, I’m taking things one week at a time. I focus on building momentum and trying to get back to being myself. I’m not there, but clearly a step closer. »