Gran Premi Valencia: Jenthe Biermans finishes 2th
For his first race with Arkéa-Samsic, Jenthe Biermans took 2nd place in a small group sprint on the 1969 Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana.
Photo: Getty Images
“Today I signed my very first podium in the professional ranks with this 2nd place. I am very happy to be part of the Arkéa-Samsic team. I feel confident, and the team trusts me too. The tactic on this race was to work in favor of Clément Champoussin in the mountainous part, and for me in the sprint if I was present in the final. This was the case. Louis and Clément gave me a good ride to the finish. A perfect job. There is a real collective spirit in the Arkéa-Samsic team, which is what I saw last year. We are a solid, united group. Louis finished first in the mountain classification. I finished on the podium, which puts me in the spotlight, but I could never have done it without the work of my teammates. Thanks to them!”
“I’m very happy with my legs and the way I feel. I was among the riders designated to make things happen in the final. I felt good on the climb when you go out with five riders. Unfortunately, the agreement was not perfect. When I decided to attack again with less than 7 kilometers to go, I made the mistake of going too early because the wind was more head-on on that stretch. This may have cost me. In the end, Jenthe gets a nice podium for the team and that’s what’s satisfying about this recovery race.”
“It’s great to start the season on a good footing! The idea today was to provoke a race of movement by relying on Louis Barré, Clément Champoussin and Simon Guglielmi on the reliefs that the course presented. Our riders tried and showed great things while respecting the instructions. The whole group maneuvered well during the day to protect the designated runners. In the final, Jenthe Biermans, who had passed the difficulties well, was present for the small group sprint that was coming up. He seized the opportunity to conclude the team’s good work by going for this 2nd place.”