Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert another top five on Walloon soil this Sunday, at the end of the fourth edition of the Famenne Ardenne Classic in wet conditions.
For more than 100 kilometer, Kévin Van Melsen led the peloton to control the gap with the early breakaway of six riders, who were caught 30 kilometer before the finish.
Alongside title defender Dimitri Claeys, neo pro Hugo Page was part of the peloton of 30 riders sprinting for the victory in the Avenue de la Toison d’Or in Marche-en-Famenne.
The 20 year old Frenchman did an impressive sprint in the final straight, slightly uphill, to take fifth place on the line.
« Many riders suffered because of the weather conditions and the circuit. I felt good all day and my goal was to achieve the best possible result. Going towards the sprint I chose for the slipstream of Arnaud De Lie, who I considered the man to beat today. Unfortunately I lost some positions when avoiding his crash and I started my sprint from far. I was also boxed in, even though this is part of the race. I can be satisfied about my fifth place even though I wanted to offer more to the team. There are three races left for me this season, I’ll line up with motivation and confidence. Especially Paris-Tours, a race I appreciate and in which I hope to be at my best. »
