Published on : 08/30/2020
More than 4000 meters of difference in altitude awaited the riders during this second stage. The team’s instructions were to position a rider into the day’s breakaway group and Anthony Pérez did the job. In turn, Guillaume Martin, with the support of the team, entered the "top 15" of the general classification.
The Tour de France gained height this Sunday. For the first time in the history of the race, two climbs at an altitude of over 1,500 meters each were on the program already on the 2nd stage. In total, 4,000 vertical meters were therefore to be climbed by the peloton.
Anthony Pérez, demonstration of self-sacrifice
From the very start of the day, Anthony Pérez is the first of the peloton to attack. The Toulousain was at the forefront of the day’s breakaway with 10 others motivated riders. He also passed the Col de la Colmiane in second place before arriving first to the top of the Col de Turini. At the end of the stage, Pérez is tied on points for the Polka dot jersey, while Benoît Cosnefroy in the best climber classification.
Tomorrow, a new opportunity for Viviani
After, with the ascent of the Col Èze it felt like a new race. Guillaume Martin remained vigilant by getting back to the front of the peloton, well helped by Jesus Herrada and Nicolas Edet. The leader of the Cofidis team then kept close to some of the best riders like Higuita, Pogacar, Schachmann, Bernal, Quintana right until the end of the stage.
On arrival, he managed to take 11th place in the stage, 2 seconds behind the winner of the day, Julian Alaphilippe. This result allowed him to climb to 14th place in the general classification. He is now the 2nd French behind the new yellow jersey. Tomorrow, the stage, which will take the riders to Sisteron, will be another opportunity for the Cofidis team to shine: the finish should indeed be an opportunity for Elia Viviani and his qualities as a sprinter.
THEY SAID...
Anthony PÉREZ: “
I am obviously a little disappointed. We knew it was going to be hard to finish, but I wanted to fight for the Combativity Award or the Polka dot jersey. It's hard to go all day long and not be rewarded. But it feels good to see back all the supporters on the roadside. And then I will try my luck again, while helping our leader, Guillaume Martin! "
Guillaume MARTIN (14th overall):
"It was a strange day with sometimes a wrong tempo. But we did what was planned. I had good feelings and I was well supervised by my teammates, Nico (Edet), Pierre-Luc (Périchon) and Jesus (Herrada). It was a great day with Anthony Pérez who picked up points for the mountain classification. "
Nicolas Edet:
"It was a difficult stage with the altitude differences that drained the bodies. Anthony fought well and narrowly missed the Polka dot jersey. It's infuriating; it would have been a nice reward for him. The objective today was also to support Guillaume and we managed to do it all together in the final."