Bourg-en-Bresse Ain Cyclisme had two riders in the group of six competitors who fought for victory last Sunday on the last stage of the Tour du Pays Roannais. But Victor Loulergue and Joris Chaussinand could do no better than 5th and 6th (see ranking). “I have mixed feelings. Maybe we played badly in the final. We don’t have too many regrets because we gave it our all.”assures Victor Loulergue at the microphone of DirectVelo.
“I WAS STILL GOOD”
The Burgiens wanted to make the race difficult from the start, with the main climbs being in the first part of the stage. “In the bumps, I accelerated, I saw that it was breaking. Around kilometer 80, it settled, I attacked and that’s when we went out at seven”. Once at the front, Victor Loulergue counts his pedal strokes. “We said that if we had a guy in front, we would wait for Joris (Chaussinand) to make the jump”But everything returned to normal fifteen kilometres from the finish and it was five kilometres from the finish, in the last wall, that Joris Chaussinand went on the attack. “I went there, I was still fine”said his teammate.
But the Burgians did not succeed in taking advantage of their superior numbers. “At the red flame, Joris broke me. I went out except that I was at full speed and I was caught before the last bend. Then, Joris launched the sprint from afar. We could perhaps have done better if Joris launched me, but that’s how it is, it’s already not bad.”insists the Creusois.
“NEVER TOO MANY LOW STROKS”
Hope 2nd year is “content of [son] week-end” in Roannais. “I feel like I’m in good shape and that I’m gaining momentum. I feel like I’ve turned a corner, especially in the hills. I’m reassured for the next races.” He will now prepare for the Tour du Val d’Aoste and the rest of the season, in Morillon (Haute-Savoie), in the company of Joris Chaussinand.
Victor Loulergue, who arrived this winter at Bourg-en-Bresse Ain Cyclisme from AG2R Citroën U23 Team, is for the moment rather satisfied with his 2024 season. “I’m always here. I never have too many down moments.”. But it is not yet in the top of the rankings.. “I still lack the little trick to get real results. (see his DirectVelo profile). I am here without being there. I hope it will come. When it comes, I hope to do like Joris or Victor (Guernalec)… That is the goal”.
