Racing to merely reach the finishing line is not Leonardo Duque’s business, and it wasn’t also on Thursday April 9th, in Circuit de la Sarthe stage 4 (Angers – Pre-en-Pail, 190 km). The Colombia-Coldeportes athlete rode on the attack in a demanding stage finish on a circuit, to be repeated six times, and was still in the race lead with little more than 1000 metres to the finish where Manuele Boaro (Tinkoff-Saxo) would eventually celebrate his stage win.
The Italian also took over the leader’s jersey, preceding to the line Pierre Rolland (Europcar) and Jonathan Hivert (Bretagne). Leonardo Duque finished in 15th position at 13”, and sits in 22nd overall with a 47” gap to Boaro.
Five men went on the attack early on – Isaichyev (Katusha), Boudat (Europcar), Jarrier (Bretagne-Seche), Minnard (Wanty) and Mentjes (MTN-Qhubeka) – and managed to lead the race until deep in the race, when seven chasers, including Leonardo Duque, came out of the bunch. Only Mentjes managed to stay with the seven riders who bridged back until the final kilometre, when the peloton finally reeled in the escapees just ahead of the sprint.
“Leonardo raced a courageous and smart race, and if his group managed to hold on a little more, we know how good a chance he would have had," Sports Director Valerio Tebaldi told the Colombia website. “Too bad, but we are already focused on giving it another try tomorrow.”
The Circuit de la Sarthe will come to an end with the fifth stage (Epau – Le Lude, 178 km) tomorrow, Friday April 10th, the day of Leonardo Duque’s 35th birthday. And it is sure that the Escarabajos’ veteran won’t give up without trying everything he can to celebrate it in style.
30.03: The Bueng Si Fai |
30.03: Gran Premio Miguel Indurain |
30.03: Volta Limburg Classic |
31.03: Ronde van Vlaanderen |
31.03: Ronde van Vlaanderen |
29.03 - 01.04: Ster van Zuid Limburg |
01.04: Gran Premio del Perdono |
01.04: Ronde de Mouscron |
01.04: Giro del Belvedere |
02.04: G.P. Palio del Recioto |
Bram WELTEN 27 years | today |
Fabio FELLINE 34 years | today |
Igor ASTARLOA ASCASIBAR 48 years | today |
Ander BARRENETXEA 32 years | today |
Shun OGATA 31 years | today |
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