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Mis à jour le 2021-05-31 12:09:53
The leader of the Cofidis team, Guillaume MARTIN, finished 3rd overall in one of the toughest editions in the history of the Critérium du Dauphiné. A result acquired after a relief of effort, both collective and individual. Enough to approach the Tour de France, which will start in two weeks, with overwhelming enthusiasm.
An incredible collective work
The stage got off to a good start and the whole team had to work to allow Guillaume Martin to get back to the group of favorites.
A profitable job which allowed the Normand to regain his place with the leaders in the col de la Colombière.
Then we had to hang in there and fight back against the multiple attacks as the podium spot was played out within a handful of seconds.
At the end of himself, Guillaume Martin went to seek 3rd place overall, where he was 41 seconds behind the winner, Colombian Daniel Felipe Martinez.
The first time since 2003 at the Critérium du Dauphiné
At 27, the tricolor climber climbs for the first time in his career on the podium of a World Tour stage race.
The joy is intense for the Cofidis team: it has not seen a podium in the general classification of the Critérium du Dauphiné since 2003 (3rd place for David Millar).
After such a discharge of energy, we will have to focus on recovering well and breathing.
Because Guillaume Martin will need resources in order to present himself with so much ambition and enthusiasm to his next two challenges: the French championships next Sunday and the Tour de France, which will start on August 29 in Nice.
Guillaume MARTIN, 3rd overall: "At the start of the stage, I was surprised by a group of breakaways but my teammates helped me a lot to come back well. Then, I was not really confident when Pogacar and Martinez attacked.
It was complicated, I was thoroughly, tested by the efforts made since the start of the Criterium and we did not have much information on what was happening at the front.
But as soon as the line crossed, it is of course satisfaction that predominates.
It is above all a great collective success since my teammates have supervised me very well throughout the week. "
