@Fred Machabert / www.ypmedias.com
Circuit de Wallonie: Laporte the fastest
Christophe Laporte is one of the best French sprinters. And at 28, he has just scored a very big success. At the Circuit de Wallonie, he largely dominated the sprint to secure his 19th professional success: “The team did a great work all day to help me so I’m happy to have been able to make this win a reality for them.”
The results: 1. Christophe Laporte (Cofidis, Solutions Crédits) ; 2. Marc Sarreau (AG2R CITROËN TEAM) ; 3. Laurence Pithie (Continentale Groupama FDJ)
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Tro Bro Leon (Fra): Swift a first in Brittany
Connor Swift had not been able to lift his arms in success since his title at the British road race championships in 2018. Now the Arkea Samsic rider added a great result to his palmarès by winning the Tro Bro Leon whose route borrows from the graveled paths typical of the region. “This race beats in the heart of our team. I thought I had lifted his arms too early, so I’m very happy to have won.” This victory also gives Arkea Samsic its 5th success of the season … in less than two weeks.
The results: 1. Connor Swift (Arkea Samsic) ; 2. Piet Allegaert (Cofidis, Solutions Crédits) ; 3. Baptiste Planckaert (Intermarché Wanty Gobert Matériaux)
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Giro d’Italia (Ita): Bernal takes control
Winner of the 9th stage at Campo Felice, Egan Bernal took command of the Giro d’Italia. At 24, the Colombian who has already won the Tour de France in 2019 had never actually won a stage in a Grand Tour. The first week of the event also saw the emergence of the young Attila Valter. Overall leader for three days, he is the first Hungarian rider ever to wear the leader’s jersey at the Giro. At the time of writing, the peloton had only just taken the start of the 10th stage ahead of the first day of the race on Tuesday.
Stages won by : Filippo Ganna and Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) ; Tom Merlier (Alpecin Fenix) ; Taco Van Der Hoorn (Intermarché Wanty Gobert Matériaux) ; Jose Dombrowski (UAE Team Emirates) ; Gino Mäder (Bahrain Victorious) ; Victor Lafay (Cofidis Solutions Credits) Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) ;
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The races to come
Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del SolRuta Del Sol (Esp), 18-22/05, www.vueltaandalucia.es
Vuelta a Burgos Feminas (Esp), 20-23/05, www.vueltaburgos.com/feminas
Giro d’Italia (Ita), 8-30/05, www.giroditalia.it