Fuglsang stands alone in the Maritime Alps classic

the dane Jakob Fulgsang (Israel Premier Tech) has prevailed alone in the 2nd edition of Mercan Tour Classic ng Maritime Alpsdisputed between Puget-Théniers and Col de Valberg, 167.9 km long and with a vertical drop of 4,740 meters, where he ended his team’s approach on the last climb to the finish line.

Fuglsang (Geneva, 37 years old), a peloton veteran with victories in great classics like Liège and Lombardy, knows how to strengthen his team’s tactics in the final climb to the finish line opposing in Groupama, which worked for a good part of the stage to the success of its leader, the Frenchman David Gaudu.

Israel, with Fuglsang and Woods in the 10 standouts that threatened victory at the top of Valberg, parted ways with Gaudu, leaving him without support partners and he was shocked by the continued attack, until Dane was left to fight. one in the lead, 6km more.

Fuglsang clung firmly to the climb and Woods was behind Gaudu’s wheel. The escapee calmly entered the finish line, with a time of 4:50:34. At half -time it was Canadian Woods, who had beaten Gaudu in a comfortable sprint, seconds later. Fourth place was awarded to Spaniard Jesús Herrada, who tried from a distance, but was also reduced by the men of Israel.

Fuglsang has not raised his arms in two years, since Il Lombardia in 2020. Finishing a series of runners with a long history, which includes the aforementioned Italian race, Liège, 2 Dauphinés, 2 Vueltas a Andalucía, 1 stage of Vuelta and an Olympic runner-up in Rio 2016.

The alpine classic was marked by the initial escape of five men: Warbasse, Delacroix, Ferron, Schonberger and Verre, who faced 3 big climbs, qualifying for the Tour de France. They crowned the Col de la Colmiane (1.8 km at 7.2%), but progress began to melt as they climbed the massive test.

Climbing the Col de la Couillole, a special category, long, 16 km at 7.3%, Ferron, Verre and Schonberger lead, but they succumb to the pressure of a peloton which is restricted by the Spanish Frenchman Lenny the trend. Martínez (Groupama), grandson of former runner Mariano Martínez, a job for two of the candidates for victory, Gaudu and Pinot. The escape was canceled at 4.8 from the top and 46 from the finish line.

A new stage with a small platoon of 15 aboard. There were 4 from Groupama, 3 from Israel, along with Fuglsang, Woods, Froome, 2 from Movistar, along with Jorgenson and Muhlberger, and only 1 Spanish, Jesús Herrada (Cofidis). The Groupama men clarified, they want to win with Gaudu and the staff needs to get tired.

The descent of the pass was personally led by Pinot, who finished his evil deed at the foot of the last pass, the Col de Valberg (1a, 12 km at 7.4%). Pinot stepped aside and Swiss Reichenbach took over. Everything seems to be under control, but the men of Israel are waiting like a lion that already has a gazelle that it intends to eat.

At 7 from goal came the main move. Israel encourages superiority by separating from Gaudu. Woods and Fuglsang launched attacks that forced the French to jump all over. Mission impossible.

Dane was left alone in front with 6 from the finish line, behind 5 men with Herrada in the chase. Fuglsang left without looking back, Woods stopped Gaudu and Herrada let go, unable to hold the men on the podium. Great tactics gave the Nordic its 27th victory. He was ready to go on the Tour of Switzerland, and then on the Tour.