Pier-André Côté was part of the breakaway of the day, which allowed him to support his teammate Nickolas Zukowsky when the race hardened at the World Road Cycling Championships on Sunday in Wollongong, Australia. Even afflicted with cramps, Zukowsky still did well on the 267 kilometer course, finishing in 36e rank (+3 minutes 1 second) and best Canadian of the day.
Posted at 10:33 a.m.
In a class apart, the Belgian Remco Evenepoel has once again demonstrated the extent of his talent, becoming world champion. Recent winner of the Tour of Spain, the 22-year-old rider won solo in the same way as he did in Liège-Bastogne-Liège last spring, that is to say by doing an explosive start about thirty kilometers from the finish.
Frenchman Christophe Laporte and Australian Michael Matthews were the silver and bronze medalists.
The French force the game
Pier-André Côté joined a group of ten riders to form a breakaway at the start of the race.
“I’m really satisfied. It was a bit of a gamble to be in the breakaway,” explained the reigning Canadian champion.
The breakaway gap melted on the ascent of Mount Keira, after only 30 kilometers of racing, when the French team decided to put on the pressure.
“We arrived at the bottom of the climb 6-7 minutes early and we tipped over to the top with 3 minutes. It hurt us, because we had to go fast early,” continued the athlete from Saint-Henri-de-Lévis.
Once on the loop of the final circuit, Côté’s group was able to widen the gap again, except that the Quebecer was disappointed to have used his cartridges so early in the race. Fortunately, he still had a few in reserve to support Zukowsky when the latter’s group joined his with about sixty kilometers to go.
“It was the best way for us to have two guys in the group [de tête]. […] I was able to help her, but not for long. When you’ve been in the morning break for 5 hours, at some point you start to stall. »
Zukowsky then took over for Canada and his feelings were good until cramps appeared as he explained to Sportcom.
“It was a really good shot! It is from this group that Remco came out for the victory. On the other hand, it’s a shame, because I suffered from cramps a lap and a half from the finish. It was really difficult and I even thought about giving up, but in the end they got through and I was able to hang on to what was left of the peloton. »
The cyclist from Saint-Lucie-des-Laurentides has few opportunities to do races of more than 6 hours and he believes that his hydration was not optimal.
“Having cramps in both legs at the same time was pretty excruciating. It’s a shame because I felt great and I knew I was in good shape. […] If it weren’t for the cramps, I can say with confidence that I would have been in the group of those who fought for the podium… but not with Remco! »
Zukowsky only occasionally participates in World Tour events. That could change next year, as he confirmed he won’t be returning to Human Powered Health in 2023, but didn’t reveal the name of his future training.
” [La course de dimanche]it’s a step in the right direction and it’s very, very educational. […] I arrive here and I don’t quite feel like an impostor and the positioning [dans le peloton] is less of an obstacle. I can make good decisions and remain calm, even when the action and the effort are quite intense. Championships like that, it’s a really unique race. »
His team-mate Côté would also have liked to reach the finish line, except that he was stopped by the marshals two laps from the end: “I was just 5 minutes down in a 6-hour race and it wasn’t not that much. »
At worlds at own expense: the importance of not setting a precedent
Like his national team mates, Côté represented Canada at his own expense in Australia. Was it worth it? He sighs before going on with his answer.
” It is not easy. It was money and time, but somewhere, it’s still the biggest one-day race in our sport. It is experience. […] How much will I make of the Elite World Championships? Several, I hope, but these are just my second. [Payer]in principle, it really hurts, I won’t hide it”, continues the one who fears that in the future, the riders could decide to play their personal card in the race, rather than that of the team, a question of justifying their investment.
According to him, the case of 2022 should not become a precedent.
“We guys know each other well, together, and we have respect for each other. But I could understand that someone wouldn’t want to work for someone else if they paid $5,000 for their plane ticket to come here. It gives anyone the right to race. »
The two Quebecers will now head to Belgium for their last races of the season.