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Updated 2024-02-12 10:28:53
"With a headwind, if you go too far out, you crash." Sprinter Hugo Hofstetter (IPT) knows this when he goes into the sprint firmly in the wheels of his pilot fish, Belgian rider Tom Van Asbroeck: to win, you have to get out as late as possible. That's why they decide to overtake Bennett in the last twenty meters. Blocked, Hugo couldn't get through, while Tom was able to use his power to win.
With the team missing several riders due to illness, Israel's Premier-Tech achieved a fine team victory, following that of Stephen Williams in Australia.
Stage 3 was marked by excellent results for Ekoï, with Axel Zingle taking third place and six Ekoï riders in the top 10.
In the overall classification, two Ekoï riders are on the podium: Axel Zingle (Cofidis) and Raul Garcia Pierna (Arkéa B&B Hôtels).
Winner's statement:
"I was having a great day! I felt it early on. I'd been looking forward to this stage since the start of the Tour de la Provence because there was a great chance of edging, and as I'm from Belgium, I like the wind.
(About the sprint) I was blown away when I saw that I was in the wheel of Pedersen and Sam Bennett (...) And the legs kept turning, the power kept climbing... I surprised myself so much. I knew I was in good shape, but I didn't expect this at all (...) I'm really proud of myself and the team. I don't win very often!"
Number of professional victories: 5
EKOÏ equipment: Aerodinamica helmet and Carbon28 glasses
