Kenny Dehaes won his second sprint in a big French stage race in the past week when he again sprinted early in the final stage of the Tour de Picardie. Sondre Holst Enger (IAM) and Kevin Reza (FDJ) jumped early with him but didn’t have enough to come round for the win. Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) did a very bad sprint but did more than enough to win the race overall.

We have gathered a few reactions.

No hat-trick for Nacer Bouhanni: I focused on the GC

"It was a difficult day,” Nacer Bouhanni told Directvelo. “There were attacks early in the stage. Each time a group got clear, I made ​​the effort to be there. I used a lot of energy because the priority was the GC. In the end, I stayed in the top 20 under the flamme rouge. It was too far back for the sprint but the goal was to win the GC. I preferred not to take risks in the sprint.  The team also worked very well all day.

“With the two wins, the results are very satisfying. The condition returns gradually. The preparation is going well. This is my second overall win after the Circuit de Lorraine. That's where sprinters can win the GC."

Kenny Dehases delighted to continue Wanty-Groupe Gobert momentum in Picardie

The team Wanty-Groupe Gobert took its second win in two days. After Jérôme Baugnies’ victory in the third stage of Rhône-Alpes Isère Tour, Kenny Dehaes won this Sunday the last stage of the Tour de Picardie (France) in Guise, his second win in eight days.

“I won the last stage of the Four Days of Dunkirk. I did it again. This finish suited me perfectly. I am pleased to confirm last week’s victory”, Kenny Dehaes said.

Jean-François Bourlart’s team rode a perfect race. Tom Devriendt was in the breakaway. The sixth of the Rund um Frankfurt won two intermediate sprints and took six seconds time bonus.

As in the two other stages a bunch sprint was guaranteed. The team Wanty-Groupe Gobert worked hard for Kenny Dehaes.

“I could count on a great team. I was bad positioned at five kilometres from the finish. Robin Stenuit put me in a good position. Danilo Napolitano was my lead-out man”, Kenny Dehaes continued.

The slightly uphill sprint perfectly suited Kenny Dehaes.

“I was in a good position. I launched my sprint at 200 metres. I felt it was the right moment. It is a matter of confidence. I can win such a race if everything goes well.

"This is great! In Dunkirk I won the last stage, I could do the same today! Napolitano did a great job for me. I like pretty harsh finishes. But it is mainly a question of confidence. I knew how to launch my sprint at the right time. I was a bit disappointed yesterday but when everything goes well, I know I can win races like that.

"Since the Four Days of Dunkirk, I have felt good. The team has worked, the uphill finish was for me. Everyobody knows about the bad times with Antoine (Demoitié) in late March. The team was not well and it was hard to ride.

“After the accident with Antoine (Demoitié), it was hard on the team. I'm sure he is riding with us and since the Amstel Gold Race, we have done well. Everyone is super motivated. Tom Devriendt is in the Top 10 overall thanks to bonuses. I'm third so this is a good week for us.

With this victory, Kenny Dehaes climbs to the third place in the final general classification. Tom Devriendt, 8th, is the second rider of the team in the first ten.

“It was a great week for us”, Kenny Dehaes concludes.

General manager Jean-François Bourlart is happy with the four victories in a month.

“The victory at the Amstel Gold Race gave confidence to the whole team. We are in a winning mode. Kenny Dehaes found his fast legs again. It is promising for the Baloise Belgium Tour.”

IAM describes Sondre Holst Enger as a jewel after second place in Picardie

"I still have a lot to learn," explained Sondre Holst Enger. “I think if I had been a little further forward in the final sprint, I could have gotten a much better result. But gradually, as the race go by, I am finding my place more. I know I have the abilities to do well in multiple situations. I can be competitive both during a completely flat finish or something more hilly. That’s an advantage. But in order to break through to the win, I have to concentrate more. The team helps me with this by placing really experienced riders around me.”

“We wanted to fly the colors of IAM Cycling proudly at the Tour of Picardy,” the team’s directeur sportif Eddy Seigneur admitted. “And we succeeded in doing just that. First good point is that we were continually in the breakaways with Clément Chevrier, Simon Pellaud, and Pirmin Lang. Then I would like to emphasize the excellent work that Jonas Van Genechten, Oliver Naesen, and Aleksejs Saramotins did regarding the preparation and approach to the sprint finishes. And then finally, Sondre Holst Enger was able to take full advantage of the collective work done by IAM Cycling. With two podium places, it seems he just needs a little more confidence.  He is a real jewel.  Sondre once again has shown what a promising future he has.”

Sondre Holst Enger nabbed 3 podium spots in the Tour of Picardy. Having taken third on Friday, and second in the stage on Sunday, the Norwegian rider also succeeded in finishing second overall in the race. That is the first time he has finished on the podium in a stage race in the professional ranks.

Pirmin Lang added:

“Getting to the front, getting into the breakaways, that’s my job,” the Swiss rider said. “Of course, I can also help out set up the sprint in the last five kilometers. But here we had the type of guys who are really strong enough to help out Sondre. I am satisfied with my day. If I was not able to make it into the early break, I had to attack in the final.  In the end, I was able to spend the stage at the front. I gave it everything.”

Kevin Reza after third place in Picardie: I hope my season starts now

" It was windy at the start and everyone was tense,” Kevin Reza told Directvelo. “Today, we decided to work for me since the finish could suit me. Sébastien Chavanel dropped me off in the final 200 meters. It's a shame because he had a chain problem so he had to leave a little gap. I believed in it! The legs are there. I hope that my season will start now. I'm leaving this race on the right foot.
 

"We were riding next to each other at ten meters from the line, and then Dehaes made the difference with a final kick.”

Aggressive Roompot showing in Picardie

”More was possible.” This was the general feeling for the riders and team management of Roompot - Orange Peloton after the Tour de Picardie. The selection of Michel Cornelisse went on the attack but was no match for Cofidis.

In the first stage, Brian Van Goethem got attention. He made ​ part of a leading group and attacked again in the finale. The attempt ended when Van Goethem was hit by a puncture. In the sprint, Barry Markus got the best result of the season with a sixth place.

In stage 2, Etienne van Empel was part of the break of the day. Because the young climber won three KOM sprints, he had his eyes on the leader's jersey in the combined standings which he missed by 1 point. In the sprint, Markus (13th), André Looij (15th) and Nick van der Lijke (18th) made it three riders in the top twenty for the team.

In the final stage, van der Lijke wa part of a breakaway but that did not yield a new place of honor. Markus (12th) and Looij (13th) were not able to battle for the podium.