After a late powerful attack by Jasper Stuyven is thwarted, Giacomo Nizzolo sprints onto the podium in Paris-Bourges. The 190.3-kilometer Paris-Bourges culminated with a bunch sprint after Jasper Stuyven’s solo attack was nullified with five kilometers to go. 

John Degenkolb (Giant Shimano) won the stage, ahead of Yauheni  Hutarovich (AG2R-La Mondiale) in second and Giacomo Nizzolo, third.

“Giacomo was not happy at Eurométropole because he was sick and had to stop. Today his third place gives him some confidence for Paris-Tours on Sunday. It was a nice result, especially since Giacomo is not at 100% form and he still made the podium. It’s not a win, but it’s never a small result when you are on the podium.”

“The team was good at the end. Greggy [Rast], Stijn [Devolder] and Eugenio [Alafaci] helped Giacomo for the sprint. It was hard to beat Degenkolb, he was super strong, and third is good; I am happy for him after his disappointment last weekend,” Alain Gallopin told the Trek website.

It was after 60 kilometers had been raced that six riders finally formed the breakaway of the day, but the peloton was reluctant in letting them gain a huge lead. With over 62 kilometers to go they were caught and it was the next move a few kilometers later that proved to be the bigger threat as a strong group moved clear.

In a show of strength Jasper Stuyven jumped across to the late break on a climb, and the 12 men held off the pursuing peloton until 10 kilometers remained.  Before the imminent catch Jasper attacked again and soloed for the next five kilometers before the peloton finally contained his late escape to set up a bunch sprint.

Jasper’s aggressiveness at the end of the long, hard race had director Alain Gallopin gushing praise on the young Belgian after his huge effort:

“The strongest of the team today was Jasper. What he did was incredible! There was a break of 10 guys and in the last climb he jumped on this break; there were a lot of strong guys in this break: Kreuziger, Haussler… they had 40-50 seconds at one moment and they were caught in last 10 kilometers, except for Jasper. He attacked and went alone and was not caught until five to go.”

“He was really, really strong, and I think he may be our best card for Sunday. But Giacomo is also back, it was not a win, but a podium is a podium, and this is good for Sunday, too. Paris-Tours is Paris-Tours, it is a special race and anything can happen, so just like today we have two cards to play, and that is good,” Gallopin finished.