August 14/10 16:02 pm - Mi-Août en Bretagne: Stage 3 full results, Boivin wins (report)

Posted by Editoress on 08/14/10
 

SpiderTech's Guillaume Boivin Takes Second Win in Europe

Guillaume Boivin and Team SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy took their second stage win at Mi-Août en Bretagne in France, winning the 183 kilometre third stage 3.  It was the Bretagne-Schuller team's turn to defend the yellow jersey. However, the race profile had less elevation change than the previous two. So Team SpiderTech was aiming for a bunch sprint for Boivin. The race set off on the first of two different circuits: one of 14 kilometres and the latter 10 kilometres.

As the flag dropped, riders began attacking flat out, with the peloton covering 47 kilometres in the first hour.  It rained intermittently, causing the roads to be a bit slippery and Keven Lacombe went down hard in a slippery roundabout. He got up slowly, changed his bike and after a long chase, regained the lead pack. No breakaways managed to hold any advantage over the first 90 kilometres. Entering the first lap of the finishing circuit, the peloton was virtually all together.

The race became interesting on the twisting, narrow finish circuit, that presented a tricky descent before a solid uphill kick to the finish line banner.  Attacking was incessant throughout the first laps of the eight to be completed. Small groups of riders split off the front, chased by counterattacks. Eventually, a nine man group formed in front, chased by another nine including François Parisien and Bruno Langlois. The front two groups merged at 50 seconds in front of the peloton with four laps remaining.

About the same time, sensing a weakness in the main group, Boivin and David Boily surged away as gaps opened up. The duo bridged across to the front, which forced the yellow jersey and other GC contenders to respond.  In less than one lap the peloton was complete again. At one lap to go Cofidis hit the front and set a high speed tempo to set up their sprinter Keukeleire. In the twisting final two kilometres, the SpiderTech men set Boivin into the front positions. David Boily took Boivin on his wheel for a sprint lead out from 350 metres.

A Bretagne-Shuller rider attacked first in the final 250 meters and Boivin took the moment to surge and follow. Hitting the wind, uphill to the finish line, Boivin would recall his sprint effort to be "long, long" but his power was not to be overcome. Triumphant at the line Guillaume threw his arms up in victory. Guillaume Boivin leads the green points jersey standings, and sits seventh on GC at 31 seconds heading into the final stage.

Courtesy SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy