A 40.7 kilometer time trial would decide about the outcome of the general classification this Saturday, in the twentieth and penultimate stage of the Tour de France. A difficult trajectory linkedLacapelle-Marival àto Rocamadour, via two climbs in the final, the Côte de Magès and the Côte de l’Hospitalet leading to the finish.
Louis Meintjes confirmed his place among the ten first riders of the general classification after this race against the clock, occupying eight place before the closing stage on the Champs-Elysées. Thus, the South-African climber is about to offer Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux a top ten in La Grande Boucle, which would be a first for the Walloon team.
« In the mountains, I gave a lot to climb into the top ten of the Tour de France. I was on the attack several days. The last couple of days I accumulated fatigue, recovery became slower. I gave everything in this decisive time trial, but unfortunately this wasn't enough to keep my sixth position. I know how it feels to reach Paris in eight position in the general classification, because it will already be the third time after 2016 and 2017. Only last year I finished the Tour de France at another position. We usually race very fast on the Champs-Elysées, those cobbles are not a present. But crossing the centre of Paris through all those people, that's magic. Reaching the finish line with a complete team, celebrate our achievements with the riders and staff you worked and lived with for three weeks, being welcomed by my fiancé, ... these are unforgettable moments you're looking forward to. »
