Development Niels Driesen takes second stage of the Tour de l’Isard to his own surprise

“This gives me confidence for what’s still to come,” Driesen said yesterday after finishing third in stage one. He did not have to wait long for what was to come, because already in stage two Driesen delivered again. Between Cap Découverte and the Circuit Automobile of Albi, he proved fastest in a stage that, on paper, was expected to end in a bunch sprint. “I’m not a sprinter at all, so this was probably the last stage where I expected to win. In theory, this was the only stage that could have ended in a bunch sprint.”

The early breakaway still had several riders out front with ten kilometres to go when Driesen launched the chase from the peloton. “Part of the break had already been caught, so I think they still had about a 20-second advantage. I got away with a small group and assumed the peloton would quickly follow… but that didn’t happen. Then, with one and a half kilometres to go, when we entered the circuit, I opened a gap. If I wanted to win, I knew I couldn’t wait for the sprint. I just kept riding and managed to stay away.”

That gave Driesen his first win of the season. "And as a surprise, too. I didn’t see this coming, especially not today. I thought: ‘Just get through the day safely and roll to the finish comfortably.’ But a victory is even better (laughs).”

Picture: Ronde de l'Isard/ Florian Frison