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Sunday, May 15th |
Stage 4 Fressenneville > Mers-les-Bains - 81 km |
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| Tombak keeps yellow
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Damien Nazon wins the final stage after a four-man breakaway that started after only a few kilometres. But Tombak keeps his yellow jersey and therefore wins the 59th Tour de Picardie. |
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One could have expected this short final stage to be a walk in the park for Janek Tombak who had claimed the yellow jersey earlier on the day. But under a bright sunny sky, the race took off at high speed. Just at the exit of Izengremer (km 3,5) Nazon (C.A), Mainguenaud (BTL), Khalilov (LPR), Mondory (A2R), Berges (AGR) and another Berges of the RAGT team manage to take off, hoping to gain enough time to worry the Cofidis race leader.
The six escapees rapidly increase the gap. They have a 50'' advantage in Nibas (km 13) and 1'05 in Ochancourt (km 15,5). The fast pace of the leaders and a puncture prove to be fatal to Berges (AGR) who is dropped and caught back by the pack. Moving closer to the intermediate sprint of Cayeux-sur-Mer after 37,5 kilometres, the leading group enjoys a nice 1'55'' advance. Damien Nazon claims the sprint points ahead of Mainguenaud and Khalilov.
The rythm eases up after the sprint. At kilometre 52, Berges (RAG) is dropped in the first hill climbs of the day. Behind the chase starts organising with the teammates of the yellow jersey moving up to the leading positions. In the front group, the most dangerous rider is indeed Khalilov, 2'21'' adrift in the overall.
Despite ever-increasing efforts, the four leaders see the gap drop to 1 minute with 10 kilometres to go. Under the last kilometre mark, the gap looks hoewevr good enough: 30''. Mainguenaud gives it a go with a kilometre left but is chased and caught. A hungry and fast Nazon proves to be the fastest in the final sprint, beating Mondory on the line.
A few seconds later, Ravard (BTL) wins the bunched pack's sprint. In the overal standings, Tombak keeps the yellow jersey he claimed earlier today and wins the 59th edition of the Tour de Picardie.
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| Stage winner |
Damien NAZON |
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| Overall |
Janeck TOMBAK |
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| Points |
Jurgen VAN LOOCKE |
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| Best young |
Loyd MONDORY |
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| Best team |
Team L.P.R. |
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| Starters' list | Time schedules |
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