“],” Filter “: {” Nextexceptions “:” IMG, Blockquote, DIV “,” NextcontaTentexceptions “:” IMG, Blockquote, A.BTN, AO-Button “}”>
The US pilot Matteo Jornson is ready to successfully defend his title of Paris-Nice, with the American Rider by defending his rivals with a nice performance in the final finish of the top of this year’s race.
The Vistma Lease A bicycle knight was kept in wet and cold conditions, riding heavily on the ascent of Auron and ending next to the other contenders of the GC.
The German Floran Lipowitz was the only danger to earn time. The Red Bull-Coll driver pilot started the day in total, 40 seconds ago, and while he stopped just before the line, he gained only three seconds on Jornson.
“We had everything under control, the team did an excellent job and there is a day to travel,” said the leader of the race.
The victory of the stage went to Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling), which was part of the big 15 man Breakaway of the day and moved forward in the final climb.
The Australian beat Mauro Schmid (Team Jayco Alula) of 20 seconds, with Georg Steinhauser (EF Education-EasyPost) third, another ten seconds ago.
Felix Gall was the best of the sixth place in sixth place, at 57 seconds, while the Jornson-Che group also contained Magnus Sheffield (Ineos Grenodiers) and Brandon McNulty (Team of the Emirates-XRG Emirates-XRG Emirates-Ex-Ex-Era at 1:14.
The race continues on Sunday with a mountainous stage that begins and ends up in Nice. It takes four climbs, but the 37 second of Jornson will make him feel good for his possibilities.
Having a local knowledge of the area also helps. “I drive these streets every single day, so I am prepared possible for tomorrow,” he said.
“It won’t be an easy stage, but I’m very prepared.”
Sheffield and McNulty sit sixth and seventh in total.
“Many consecutive and difficult cold days”
A 15 Man Group was Established, Including US Hope Neilson Powless and His Ef Education EasyPost Teammate Georg Steinhauser (EF Education-EasyPost), former World Champ Julian Alaphilippe and Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling), The Movistar Pairing of Ivan Romeo and Johan Jacobs, Alexandre DeleTre and Jordan Jegat of Total Energies, Plus Kelland O’Brien and Mauro Schmid by Jayco Alula.
In addition there was the promising young pilot Josh Tarling (Ineos), Clément Izquierdo (Cofidis), Stefan Küng (Groupama-Fdj), Alfred Wright (Bahrain Victorious) and Bruno Armiral (Decathlon AG2R La World Cup).
The break constantly built the time and had two and a half minutes with 60 km. Shortly thereafter, the star GC of Lidl-Trek, Mattias Skjelmose, crashed and retired from the race. His team later confirmed that his wounds were less serious than initially feared, with only points to an requested elbow.
He had started the third day overall, just 59 seconds from the yellow, and his forced pension was a serious blow.
While the kilometers were clicking downwards, it became increasingly clear that the pause could remain clear to the finish. The move had 2:40 with 20 km remaining and still had 1:25 with just over 4 km, the point where Powless lost contact.
Steinhauser also slipped back, leaving Schmid and Storer to fight for the victory. The latter carried out shortly after, breaking the elastic with 2.7 km left.
“Today I felt really good,” he said. “He was just running on feeling today.”
His teeth were chatting at the finish line, as well as those of many others in the group. Jornson said time had had a toll.
“Now everyone is really tired in this race. There have been many, many consecutive and difficult days, “he said.” I am so grateful to have these guys around me. “
He promised to take anything for granted the final leg of Sunday, completing Lipowitz and Thymen Arensman (Ineos Grenadiers). The latter is at 1:20.
“I won’t underestimate him,” said Jornson from Lipowitz. “It’s an excellent driver. You can’t underestimate anyone, really. I think he and Arensman are the two at a surprising distance. “
