Inside the Volta: this is how you experience a stage from the AG2R team car

He AG2R is clear about the goal in the final stage of back: win the final circuit of Montjuïc. This is how I met him shortly before leaving Cyril Dessellone of the two sports directors of AG2R Citroën present in the race: “We want to enter the breakaway and fight for victory, maybe in Bouchard”. As we will see later, he was not wrong. At the same time, he realized that it would be very complicated: “Evenepoel and Roglic want to take the stage”.

The result will be around 2:00 pm, but the race started a long time ago: more than an hour before the start, around 9 am, a dozen team members they prepare everything (bikes, spare parts, cars, food) while the cyclists attend the previous conversation with the sports directors where they organize the plan to follow. Afterwards, the riders will attend the official presentation before starting the stage. Back then, a van with supplies in the shape of a water and food marching towards the middle of allocation.

In addition, another car -where Mundo Deportivo has the luxury of traveling as a co-pilot– also goes on to join in the possible escape of the day, a select group of which Dessel He already told us that they expected them to be there. On the stage, the first kilometers are certain silence. however, that silence will not last long. With the breakaway already formed, the cars of the teams with the cyclists who had marched in first position let them get ahead of us. really, Bouchard This is one of them.

The AG2R Citroen, on the getaway of the day

From there, the communication with other vehicles (who marched behind the peloton to attend the rest of the group) and with the cyclist escape is constant, either by walkie-talkie or face-to-face. Change glasses, deliver drums and gels, give directions… Everything you need let the runner concentrate on pedaling, which was enough for the pursuit speed that the peloton returned. In addition, Volta radio continues to comment on any incident: change in differentials, crashes, engine problems, dangerous curves, etc..

Soon after, the pace of the main group was so high that it reduced the lead to less than a minute, so we are forced to stop and pass the peloton. The situation does not last long: after a very technical descent where the cyclists almost lost sight of the carsthe breakaway went over a minute of advantage again and we had to do it pass the peloton again.

Overtaking a peloton at 50 km/h is not easy

It seems like something simple, but it’s not: 150 cyclists at more than 50 per hour immersion down the road in search of the best possible position is not an easy target. Included in the maneuver whistles, braking, acceleration and continuous motion to the cyclists to thank them for facilitating the operation. ahead wait Bouchardwho need to recharge batteries with gels and drinks.

The bad news is, as the stage approaches the final circuit for Montjuicthe platoon, led Soudal Quick-Step, is fast approaching. They want the success and the option of general together evenepoel. On the first ramps of climbing the castle, the main group devoured the escapees. From there, the leading role was for Evenepoel and Roglic.

Pizzas, cleaning and rest

At this point in the race, with just over 30 kilometers to go, the number two car from each team must retire to avoid merging vehicles in the circuit. Others stay to support the cyclists for anything they may need. Meanwhile, in the team bus, everything is ready to welcome the runners. Take a shower, change clothes and the big reward: a pizza and some sweets. After a week of hard work and a controlled diet, it’s time to have fun. “Just now”Dessel joked.

while, mechanics clean and disassemble the bikes For transportation. He the cycling calendar never rests and the following weeks are full of races where the team AG2R Citroën He will attend again with the goal of competing to the maximum.