ProTeam Stage 12 leaves Intermarché-Lotto with mixed emotions
The day nevertheless started well for Intermarché-Lotto, as the team was honoured before the start at the famous Magny-Cours circuit as the best team of the day, based on the combined times of each team's three fastest riders. Most of the stage then unfolded just as positively. Right from kilometre zero, Baptiste Veistroffer– just as announced– launched another attack. This time, however, the peloton was unwilling to give him the freedom it had allowed him on the sprint stage to Pau. A long battle to establish the breakaway followed. Veistroffer initially had company, but gradually dropped his fellow escapees one by one. After 123 kilometres at the front, the French fan favourite was finally caught with 30 kilometres remaining. "This was probably the stage I had targeted the most for a good result," said Veistroffer, who is thoroughly enjoying his first Tour de France. "Unfortunately, it didn't quite go the way I'd hoped. It certainly wasn't the plan to ride solo. But if you don't try, you'll never know. Once again, I really enjoyed riding through the beautiful French countryside and villages. More and more people along the roadside recognise me, and that gives me even more motivation. The magic of the Tour is incredible."
With another outstanding ride, Veistroffer moved one step closer to his dream of winning the Super Combativity Award. Today's Combativity Award was already his third of this Tour.
Huub Artz also delivered another impressive performance. Against his own expectations and without specifically preparing for it, he continues to develop into a sprinter, claiming his fourth top-ten finish of this Tour. "The last 30 kilometres were once again that typical washing machine you get in sprint stages," Artz said of the chaotic finale. "I found myself on the perfect wheel, but then it always happens the same way: you think you've got the right wheel, you're carrying good speed, and just when you want to come around, you get boxed in. You suffer so much and then you realise a podium might actually be possible. Still, I can't really complain. At the same time, it was a day of mixed emotions for us because Jenno and Liam crashed just behind me. That's not something you ever want to see as a teammate."
Despite the strong performances, Intermarché-Lotto is left indeed with mixed emotions. Just behind Artz in the hectic finale, Liam Slock and Jenno Berckmoes crashed heavily. Slock mainly suffered abrasions to both elbows and his right hip. After a good night's rest, he is expected to continue the Tour. Jenno Berckmoes, however, was less fortunate. He broke his collarbone in the same crash and is forced to abandon the Tour. He will undergo surgery in Belgium tomorrow.
Picture: A.S.O.
