Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux participated for the first time to the Mercan’Tour (1.1), which was organized for the second time this Tuesday. The race of 168 kilometer crossed the inlands north of Nice with three long climbs in the second race half: La Colmiane, the Col de la Couillole and the Col du Valberg, where the finish was situated. In total, 4300 meter had to be climbed on this course.
Frenchman Théo Delacroix joined the early breaway of five riders, which gained a maximal advantage of more than 5 minutes and stayed ahead of the peloton until the flanks of La Couillole. The peloton progressively increased the pace and was only composed of thirty riders on top of the penultimate climb, including Jan Bakelants and Louis Meintjes.
The decision was made on the Valberg, where the best climbers battled in a man-to-man fight during the final 8 kilometer. Meintjes, who returned to competition one month after the Tour de Romandie, crossed the line in sixth place thanks to a well measured effort.
« I’m happy with my performance in my first race since the Tour de Romandie one month ago. The race profile with long climbs was ideal for me and also the weather conditions were according to my wishes. My legs felt rather good, however, I was still missing a bit speed a couple of days after ending our altitude camp with the team in Andorra. This decent start to the second part of my season gives me confidence for my next races. I’m looking forward to the Critérium du Dauphiné which starts this Sunday, as several stages suit me really well. I know this race well since I participated five times and finished twice on the podium of mountain stages. Before, I’ll participate in the Giro dell’Appennino, where I again hope to survive the selection. As the last 25 kilometer were downhill and flat, we might work for another rider in the final. »
