Before this Saturday’s comeback stage, Lenny Martinez had in mind the arrival of this day, in Cossonay, on the Tour de Romandie (read here). With the last three kilometers for the Puncheurs, the Nivernais had ambitions and he was able to respond present by ranking 2nd in this third stage behind Jay Vine, who arrived slightly detached. “I could better do on this kind of arrival. I know I could be winning. I had the opportunity, but Jay Vine was a little stronger”he said beautiful player with Directvelo.
When the Australian of Uae Emirates-XRG attacked in the last kilometer, the other candidates for the stage victory had a moment of hesitation which was fatal to them. “I thought guys were going to make the effort like those of Sudal Quick-Step to try to plug the hole for Remco (Evenepoel) but in the end it was not the case. Jay Vine made a gap and after it was not possible to come back”assures the 21 -year -old climber.
The leader of the Bahrain-Victorious would have preferred a slightly more difficult arrival. “I thought they had put the arrival at the top of the bump. Finally, there was dish just before arrival”he regrets. Thanks to his 2nd place and the 6 seconds of bonus, he wins a place to the general, passing … The Ogre Remco Evenepoel (see classification). “I’m happy to have gone close to winning than bonuses. Even if it’s a shame not to have been able to impose myself”. He also knows that six seconds, it will probably be nothing this Saturday in the long final climb to Thyon 2000. “With 21 kilometers of ascent, it will be a very different effort”smiles Lenny Martinez.
