10th in the general classification before the last stage of the Tour de Bretagne, Jean-Louis Le Ny came out of the Top 10, this Thursday, after the final arrival in Plancoët (see here). At the offensive in the final circuit, the resident of VC Rouen 76 still lost a place, in favor of Alessandro Borgo (Bahrain Victorious DT), 3rd of the sprint. The winner of the event in 2021 and 4th in 2022 returns to Directvelo on his performance and his race.
Directvelo: You end just outside the Top 10 on this Tour de Bretagne. What is the feeling that drives you?
Jean-Louis Le Ny: We will say that it is still positive. For the team, we have a stage victory (with his teammate Ilan Larmet, read here). We are very close to the top 10 in general. We would have signed for that at the start of the Tour de Bretagne. For my part, I really end these seven days. I was really waiting for this final day. Unfortunately, the circuit was not hard enough and the wind was badly positioned to really make the difference. But it is rather a good week.
“It could very well have changed in the other direction”
On this last step, what was the plan? Try everything for everything or keep the top 10?
The team wanted a top 10. On my side, I wanted to play everything for everything. I was patient. There are many runners who came to see me because they knew very well that I was going to attack. With Elliot (ball), we discussed a lot at the end. I told him to stay patient and that we were going to attack the final circuit. I really waited three laps to attack. I think it was the right time. Unfortunately, we get caught in the last lap. It could very well have changed in the other direction. But that’s how it is. I tried, I have no regrets. I showed that I was at the level.
Has the Tour de Bretagne has evolved since your victory in 2021?
I think there is a higher level. The year I won, the world championship took place at the same time. The nuggets were not there. There, we feel that it is much more homogeneous. It’s harder to make a difference. We see that young people are really hungry. They know it can be played for details for their careers. They do not hesitate to take risks. It’s a bit of a shame because there are falls, but we feel that there is still a very big potential.
“I take much more fun on unbridled races”
Do you have a regret concerning the fourth step where you appeared in the right blow, before being trapped in the final circuit?
Yes, because normally, with my legs, I had to be in front. I just needed to blow because I had spent the day at the front. I didn’t feel the right blow. I was in a setback. I also think that I was marked. My opponents know very well that I have a little experience on this race. I was a little disappointed on arrival in Landévant. But that’s how it is, we can’t be at the top every day either.
Do you always have in mind to return to professionals?
I don’t know. I know that I take much more pleasure on unbridled races in class 2 and even in elites where there are no earphones. There are fewer strategic places where all the teams know where it will be played. We will see if a professional team picks me up. If I don’t have one, it doesn’t matter.
