Belle-Île-en-Mer
148.5 km
Thursday 6 September
Stage 1: Belle-Ile-en-mer – Belle-Ile-en-mer. Official star tat 12:30 for the 123 riders in the race. Poulhies wins the final sprint ahead of his breakaway companions after a stage he controlled from start to finish. He captures the three leader’s jerseys.
The race starts at a fast pace immediately after a few kilometres. Several groups manage to take off but the pack bunches up again at kilometre 12.5. Offredo (FRB) then makes a decisive move breaking away at kilometre 15 and enjoying a 3’45 lead at the first intermediate sprint (km 40) on a pack led by Boom (NED) and Paterski (POL). The leading rider increases his advantage that reaches 6’10 (km 60) on the pack while seven riders break away from the pack on a counter-attack.
The gap then starts slowly dropping as the main bunch eases up its pace and eventually catches the counter-attacking group heading towards Sauzon (km 70). Offredo’s lead is then of 2’15 while two riders, Poulhies (FRA) and Agnoli (ITA) are only 1’25 adrift on the line of the second intermediate sprint (km 81,5). Behind, Deschenaux (SUI) is 1’35 adrift while the pack has a two minute deficit on the leading man.
Kunshin (RUS), Kruijswijk (NED), Smukulis (NED) and Wyss (Sui) catch up with Deschenaux and then Poulhiès and Agnoli and finally Offredo at kilometre 86. The eight escapees maintain a decent gap with the chasing pack and enjoy a 1’30 lead at kilometre 97. They even increase their advantage and have a 1’50 lead at kilometre 100. But with forty-eight kilometres to go, the Slovenian riders take control of the chase and the gap starts dropping severely: 45’’ at kilometre 117, 35’’ at kilometre 118.5…
To maintain a good enough advantage, five riders decide to ease up the pace and drop three struggling men: Poulhiès, Kunshin, Kruijwick, Smukulis and Wyss manage a decent gap on their former companions rapidly caught up by the hungry bunch. Poulhiès and Kruijwick again attack and see their lead increase. 10’’on Kunshin, Smukulis and Wyss and 1’05 on the main pack heading towards the third sprint of the day. Poulhiès eventually grabs precious points and seconds ahead of Kruijwick and Smukulis while the five riders bunch up together again at the front of the race. Behind the pack remains 1’45” adrift.
In the leading positions Poulhiès and Kunshin maintain a fast pace and before the final lap of the circuit can enjoy a gap of over 2’ on the pack that seems to stop its chasing efforts. The final kilometres are ridden at an extremely fast rhythm, Poulhies maintaining the pressure on the shoulders of his rivals. He eventually wins the final sprint ahead of Kunshin and takes command of the different standings.
I came here to try and win a stage. Therefore I am particularly happy with this victory, especially because the Tour de l’Avenir is a mythical race for the young riders. I realise that I have really improved myself compared myself to last year. I donc know what the upcoming stages hold in store for me, so I will just try do my best and enjoy myself as much as possible.
