Henri-François Haquin (CC Etupes) won, this Sunday, the third and final stage of the Tour du Pays Roannais (National Elite), run over 149.2 kilometers around the Coteau (Loire). He beat, in the sprint, Antoine Roussel (EC Saint-Etienne Loire) and Maxime Richard (VC Villefranche Beaujolais). Antoine Berger (SCO Dijon-Team Matériel-velo.com) won the general classification of this 35th edition (see here).
Find below the reactions collected by DirectVelo.
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2nd overall
“We didn’t think that Antoine Berger’s team (the SCO Dijon, Editor’s note) was going to be that strong. In the first bumps, we saw several of his teammates give up. They managed to get back. There was no breakaway during two hours of racing, his colleagues were able to protect themselves, they did not have to roll straight away. Then, his teammate Bohémond Barrillot was in a position, he did not have to take over. Tactically, they were very good.
I tried my luck 20 miles from the finish. I came back alone on the breakaway. I told myself it was going to be playable, but there were still too many teammates with him and the terrain wasn’t too favorable in the end. They managed to get back at me. Afterwards I did what I could. He was strong, he had a great team, he deserves his victory.
For my part, it’s my first podium in the National Elite on a stage and a general, it remains a satisfactory weekend. I’m happy, I’m back to a good level. For the rest, normally I’m scheduled for the Tour du Val d’Aoste.”
B. TROY
3rd overall
“I went straight down the wet descent after the big bump. At one point, I thought it was going to be complicated to get back. It took me 20-25 terminals to come back. Fortunately, I found allies with two guys from Corbas who helped me a lot. Then I was just happy to be there and follow the pack. Dijon did a lot of work to keep the yellow jersey, all they had to do was stay in the pack to secure 3rd place.
The progression is there. We also have the polka dot jerseys and intermediate sprints from Kane (Richards). The weekend was quite successful. In July, I will go to the Alps to do a good training block for the end of the season.
M. GAUDEL
