The ambitions of Bastien Tronchon on the Amstel Gold Race

Bastien, how do you feel the day before your first Amstel Gold Race?

“Very well, I took advantage of the Tour of the Basque Country which was not necessarily adapted to my qualities to prepare well, to make good efforts for the Ardennes. There was certainly this sprint during the first step where I took third place that surprised people, but I was not, I know that I have a small speed. It is true that everyone wondered why Decathlon AG2R was rolling without a real sprinter, but it was I who wanted to do it the reduced set that there was at the start. »»

You will also dispute the Wallone and Liège-Bastogne-Liège arrow, which is best for you?

“It’s hard to say. I think the AMSTEL suits me well after the recognition that we did yesterday. The arrow I made it two years ago (78^e), this final effort of a few minutes is something that I really like. If I arrive well placed and with freshness at the foot of the Huy wall I can get out of it. For Liège I do not think it is suitable for someone who is more than 70 kg like me, but we will see what can happen there. »»

With the absences of several Punchers in your team (Paul Lapeira, Benoit Cosnefroy, Victor Lafay) you are propelled to the rank of leader…

“On the AMSTEL already, yes. With all these absences I arrive at the top of the list of sneakers who remain in the team. For the team it is ultra penalizing, but it is up to me to prove that I have my place among the leaders at Decathlon Ag2r. For me it is a challenge to show that I can do beautiful things, it is an opportunity to assert myself. In any case it will be a good experience since it has not happened to me many times. »»

This content is blocked because you have not accepted cookies and other tracers.

By clicking on “I accept”cookies and other tracers will be deposited and you can view the contents (More information).

By clicking on “I accept all cookies”you authorize cookie deposits and other tracers to storage your data on our sites and applications for customization and advertising targeting purposes.

You keep the possibility of withdrawing your consent at any time by consulting our data protection policy.
Manage my choices

I accept
I accept all cookies

How do you think you can express yourself on the AMSTEL with Tadej Pogacar or Remco Evenepoel at the start?

“Already, I leave from the principle that Pogacar’s race is not mine. I don’t have her legs. But we are targeting high and I am confident. I know that it will be necessary to anticipate whatever happens. I do not think that staying in the peloton is the solution: when the best will start there is a good chance that I cannot follow anyway. »»

How do you look at your season before this week of Ardennes?

“It was very well left. I had a lot of seeds during my first two seasons with my knee, but also a problem of hair embodied in the groin. In Australia it was the first time that I had a real leader role, I showed that I had legs (5^e). It allowed me to take braid in the team. Since then I feel that there is something to do, it’s cool. I had two big objectives on the Strade Bianche and Milan San Remo but it did not go as planned. On the Strade I fell, punctured and derailed, and on San Remo it is my fault: I fed badly because of the cold, suddenly I went through. It’s disappointing for sure, but I use it. »»