© Tour de l’Avenir
Tour de l’Avenir: Del Toro turns everything upside down
By taking second place in the last stage of the Tour de l’Avenir behind the Italian Giulio Pellizzari, the Mexican Isaac Del Toro turned the GC on its head. As a result, he took over the yellow jersey which had been the property of the American Matthew Riccitello.
At the start of the last day of the Tour de l’Avenir, 54 seconds separated them. It seemed a comfortable lead for the American Matthew Riccitello, who took the yellow jersey at the finish of the sixth stage at the top of the Col de la Loze (Friday), which was won by Isaac Del Toro. But the 19-year-old Mexican’s performance that day had already given a glimpse of what he was capable of doing.
For the eighth and final stage, the young talents set off from Val-Cenis and arrived at the summit in Sainte Foy Tarentaise after having climbed Col de la Madeleine, Col de l’Iseran and climb of Villaret, for a total of more than 2 600 meters of climbing.
A course which was perfect for the qualities of Del Toro, who attacked about 50 km from the finish, and took second place, just behind Giulio Pellizzari, successfully overthrowing the general classification to win the yellow jersey at the last moment. The Italian took advantage of Riccitello’s collapse (finally 5th overall), and finished in 2nd place overall.
The results: 1. Del Toro (Mexique) ; 2. Pellizzari (Italie) ; 3. Piganzoli (Italie)…
Stages won by: Foldager (Danemark) ; Pickrell (Canada) ; Danemark ; Christen (Suisse) ; Romeo (Espagne) ; Del Toro (Mexique) ; Riccitello (Etats-Unis) ; Ryan (Irlande) ; Pellizzari (Italie).
*****
Tour of Scandinavia: Van Vleuten enjoys her final races
‘I can go home with a smile’, Movistar veteran bids farewell to Scandinavia with the overall title.
After donning the yellow jersey on the 4th stage at the end of the time trial in Herning, Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) had to battle hard on the 5th stage from Middelfart to Haderslev before being able to celebrate her victory in the general classification of the Tour of Scandinavia, only two seconds ahead of Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-SUEZ).
After the Tour of Scandinavia, Van Vleuten only has the Simac Ladies Tour left on her calendar, from September 5 to 10, to end her 16-year professional cycling career.
The 40-year-old star said it wasn’t just the overall victory that made her happy, but rather the ability to compete at the highest level until the end. “It’s good for me still to be fighting for the win in my last races. That’s why I love cycling, not just to win, but also because I’m always in good shape, I’m in front and I have good legs. Then I can say goodbye to sport with a smile,” she said after receiving the yellow jersey and a large trophy with a spinning wheel and a piece of Norwegian granite for the overall winner.
The results: 1. Van Vleuten (Movistar) ; 2. Ludwig (FDJ-SUEZ) ; 3. Kraak (Jumbo-Visma)…
Stages won by: Wiebes (SD-Worx) ; Ludwig (FDJ-SUEZ) ; Wiebes (SD-Worx) ; Brown (FDJ-SUEZ) ; Ludwig (FDJ-SUEZ).
*****
Tour Poitou-Charentes en Nouvelle Aquitaine : Wærenskjold in complete control
A first general classification win for Søren Wærenskjold. The Norwegian from Uno-X won the Tour Poitou-Charentes en Nouvelle Aquitaine. The Uno-X rider calmly won the event after four full days of racing and with a small gap of 6 seconds ahead of Bruno Armirail (Groupama-FDJ).
He was an exceptional sprinter on the first day, a strong rouleur around La Roche-Posay during Thursday’s time trial, and finally, a fine tactician to control the ambitions of the Groupama-FDJ team during the last stage, Wærenskjold showed off all his qualities.
The results: 1. Wærenskjold (Uno-X) ; 2. Armirail (Groupama-FDJ) ; 3. Maestri (EOLO-Kometa)…
Stages won by: Wærenskjold (Uno-X) ; Penhoët (Groupama-FDJ) ; 3. Rivi (EOLO-Kometa) ; Armirail (Groupama-FDJ) ; Sarreau (AG2R Citroën).
*****
Renewi Tour: Wellens pursues his love
Between the Renewi Tour and Tim Wellens, there’s a real love story! Always very successful in this event, the Belgian took the record for number of overall victories this Sunday, when he took his third success in the general classification (following wins in 2014 and 2015), separating him from the Spaniard José Ivan Gutierrez and the Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen. Second in the time trial and the stage arriving at Grammont, the Belgian from the UAE Team Emirates was the most consistent during this week of racing, 23 seconds ahead of his compatriots Florian Vermeersch (Lotto Dstny) and Yves Lampaert (Soudal Quick-Step).
“We came here with the ambition to win the race, and it worked out perfectly in the end. I knew the time trial and the next day’s stage in Geraardsbergen would be decisive, so I really focused on those. My teammates helped me perfectly,” he explained. “It’s a WorldTour race, so it’s a very important victory for me and also for the team. I’m in good shape and I can’t wait to tackle my last goals of the season.”
The results: 1. Wellens (UAE Team Emirates) ; 2. Vermeersch (Lotto-Dstny) ; 3. Lampaert (Soudal-Quick Step)…
Stages won by: Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) ; Tarling (INEOS Grenadiers) ; Teunissen (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) ; Welsford (Team dsm – firmenich) ; Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious).
*****
Deutschland Tour: Van Wilder shines
With the foundation of his final victory having been laid on Thursday during the 2nd stage which he won, Ilan Van Wilder took the overall classification at the Tour of Germany, displaying unfailing calmness. “It’s a great feeling to win, in the same week, my first professional victory and my first overall victory. We can all be proud of what we have achieved here,” explained the Belgian from the Soudal-Quick Step. “After winning the stage on day two, my teammates did a great job helping me defend the jersey, and I want to thank them for that.”
The results: 1. Van Wilder (Soudal-Quick Step) ; 2. Grossschartner (UAE Team Emirates) ; 3. Van Poppel (BORA-Hansgrohe)…
Stages won by: Vernon (Soudal-Quick Step) ; Van Wilder (Soudal-Quick Step) ; Mühlberger (Movistar) ; Mihkels (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) ; De Kleijn (Tudor Pro Cycling Team.
*****
Upcoming races:
Until 17 September : Vuelta a Espana, https://www.lavuelta.es/fr/
2 September : Classic Lorient Agglomération – Trophée CERATIZIT, http://www.grandprix-plouay.com/4-jours-cic-plouay/grand-prix-lorient-agglomeration.php
3 September : Bretagne Classic, http://www.grandprix-plouay.com/4-jours-cic-plouay/grand-prix-bretagne-classic.php
3 September : Tour of Leuven – Memorial Jef Scherens, https://tourofleuven.be/fr/