Professional past in 2022 within WorldTeam Groupama-FDJafter having made his ranges within Conti, Lewis Askey had not until Thursday May 8 still managed to find the opening to raise your arms and unlock his victories counter at the pros. But after having passed very closely (2nd from Paris-Tours 2023, 2nd of the Classic Loire Atlantique 2022), the young Briton finally repaired the anomaly by winning the Aulne-Châteaulin loops… and with the way! While he could wisely wait for the sprint that was preparing, the fiery 24 -year -old runner felt the blow by leaving the peloton right after the red flame. An early attack that has proven to be decisive, The French Benoît Cosnefroy (Decathlon Ag2r La Mondia Team) and Clément Prestry (Arkea-B & B Hotels) not managing to take it back in the final sprint in an upright flat.
Video – The joy of Lewis Askey after his 1st pro victory
“I did not think at all attacking like that in the last km … I felt the race”
“I was afraid that it never happens, so it gives me a lot of pressure. I often went close to victory so it feels good. Everyone tells me that this first victory can unlock me mentally, so I hope!“, reacted Lewis Askey Just after the line. “”I love these races, I know that the races like it suits me really well. With the big block of classics I just made, I was really able to assimilate all the work. And with the freshness that I have now, on a course like today, you need that. At the end, I think I was the coolest“He said.”I didn’t think I was at all attacking like that in the last kilometer. I was just well placed and I felt the race, it’s one of my qualities. Sometimes you feel it’s a good time. I don’t like to have regrets at all and wait, then say “Ah, I should have done this”. So I didn’t want to regret anything, and in the end I have the victory“He was delighted.
Askey comes to conclude a very nice collective race of the Groupama-FDJattacking and active throughout the day. Expected as the main leader in French training, Valentin Madouas was very enterprising, he who attacked when entering the last tour of the circuit, just under 10 km from the goal. “”It doesn’t matter who wins in the team, it’s great“said Askey In an almost perfect French. “”I live in Andorra, but I did two years in Besançon, with the Conti team, that’s why. I really had to learn French well, because when I arrived, I did not speak a word! In a French team, it helps a lot, and even in my everyday life, when I travel, I think it’s something important. I’m learning Spaniard at the moment too“, He concluded.
