Antoine Berger held firm. After his coup de force the day before, the SCO Dijon member managed to save the essential, this Sunday, namely his yellow jersey, during the third and final stage of the Tour du Pays Roannais. Despite a lively end to the stage, during which some of the strong men in the race went for broke, the 24-year-old athlete took his fourth bouquet of the season (see ranking). DirectVelo collected Antoine Berger’s reaction, hot off the press, at the foot of the protocol podium.
DirectVelo: What does this overall victory of the Tour du Pays Roannais represent?
Antoine Berger: It’s huge! Winning a general classification was one of my goals for the season. Winning it with a stage victory, on top of that, is even better and a great way to do it. At the start of this last stage, I didn’t really know how it was going to go. I was asking myself questions, obviously. But in the end, it was pretty clear. The start of the race was very hilly but the guys on the team quickly took charge. I quickly felt out of danger.
“WE HAD TO BE CAREFUL”
Did your teammates surprise you?
Yes. Besides, I think few teams expected us to be so strong collectively. I was still tickled by a few attacks in the finale but I had good feelings. So I told myself that I was going to get through it, even if I had to be careful with this sprint finish. On the other hand, this potential finish in the sprint could also allow us to dream of a stage victory for Marius (Macé), playing on all fronts at the same time. We tried but it didn’t work for the stage.
Did you have time to appreciate the finale?
Not at all because it was going really fast and I’m not very comfortable with this type of finish. I waited until I had crossed the line to enjoy it, after asking if I was sure I was winning.
“A PHYSICAL AND MENTAL LOAD”
What does it feel like to run in the yellow jersey?
It’s a pleasure, you feel good, but you also feel watched. In a way, we have a target on our backs but if we have the legs to take it on, that’s fine.
After your success at Puyloubier, you were unable to continue. We imagine that this time, you want to continue this great series!
Yes, but with less hassle, I think. I fell twice after Puyloubier, it was a physical and mental load. I always have in the back of my mind the idea of turning pro but I’m not fixated on it. If it comes, so much the better, but for now I just want to live the adventure to the fullest and that’s what I’m doing. I must not rest on my laurels, I see that I can still do great things but I must progress on a lot of things, especially in placement. Physically, it’s already very good in the moguls. It is above all strategically that I must progress. I manage to surprise myself. I’m more serene than before, I don’t panic at important moments, that’s good.
