Another great performance for Katusha Team: Denis Galimzyanov won the sprint of the first stage of “Circuite de la Sarthe”, from Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Ville to Riallè, 192 kilometres long. The Russian sprinter took advantage of the great work, in the final straight, of his teammates Maxim Belkov and Pavel Brutt, winner three days ago in “Volta Limburg Classic”, and took the win over Sasha Modolo (Colnago-CSF Inox) and Juan Josè Haedo (Saxo Bank). The race was characterized by a great breakaway by Mikhail Ignatyev: the Russian
ITT National Champion left the group together with two other riders, Arnaud Courteille (FDJ-BigMat) and Kevin Jarrier (Veranda Rideau U) in the first part of the stage, reaching a highest gap over the chasing group of 10′. Then, with 25 kilometres to go, with the main group approaching the escape, Ignatyev intended by himself: his solo action was strong and he could stay ahead until almost the finishing line, but with just 300 metres to go the chase neutralized his breakaway. Then, in the lock step final sprint, Denis Galimzyanov crossed the line for first.
“Today we did a great team work – said the Russian sprinter – we had Ignatyev ahead all day long, but when we saw the group would catch him we went ahead to impose our pace and find a good position for the final massive sprint. All my teammates worked well, especially Brutt and Belkov, so I have to thank them for my victory. In the last 200 metres I saw Haedo started his rush, so I followed and passed him: then, nobody could reach me and I took a good win. I’m happy about that, because the last straight was a little uphill, so it wasn’t an easy sprint: moreover, I’m not 100% because I’m still recovering from the physical troubles I had in March. Anyways, my shape is improving and this victory gives me strong motivations and morale: in this competition we still have at least 2 chances for win, and I’ll do my best to take another good result”.
“We did a good stage from the beginning to the end – said the Sport Director Dmitriy Konychev – first with Ignatyev, who did a great breakaway and was caught with few metres to go; then with Galimzyanov, who did a great sprint and won with authority. We’re very happy with our performance and our stage”.
KATUSHA MEDIA SERVICE