Wanty-Groupe Gobert lined up at the Tour de Picardie with seven riders: Bjorn Leukemans, James Vanlandschoot, Roy Jans, Tim De Troyer, Yannick Eijssen, Danilo Napolitano and Fréderique Robert. Jans and Napolitano would be the main riders for this three-day stage race in the north of France.
Unfortunately Jans crashed in the first stage. Napolitano led him out fantastically to a fourth or fifth position in the last few hundred metres after great work by Leukemans and Vanlandschoot. A Bora-Argon18 rider crashes in front of him and takes ten riders down, including Jans. A top five position went up in smoke.
In the second stage Jans selflessly decided that Napolitano should sprint. He suffered some pain and abrasions after his high-speed crash the day before and decided he would work for Napolitano. Jans piloted Napolitano to a good position in the final 300 metres. The Italian had to hit the brakes though and finished 23rd. That was a deception again but the team knew they had worked well together.
.
In the meeting before the third and final stage they decided to go along with the breakaway to gain bonus seconds. Jans was in a big group straight away and snatched away one second at the intermediate sprint. The group was too big and therefore reeled back in.
In the sprint Jans was piloted by Napolitano and finished 7th. With the bonus seconds he took during the stage, he finished 16th overall.
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 |
Behzad KARAMZADEH 39 years | today |
Ander BARRENETXEA 32 years | today |
Luke CRIDLAND 37 years | today |
Jussi VEIKKANEN 43 years | today |
Vaida PIKAUSKAITE 33 years | today |
© CyclingQuotes.com