Published on : 09/05/2020
He grabbed on, attacked and gave it all away. Guillaume Martin defended his third place in the Pyrenees with style, while remaining in constant competition with the big favourites for the final victory. A look back at the day when he once again showed the full breadth of his talent.
There had been the arrival at Orcières-Moriette and the attack in the last kilometer. For Guillaume Martin, it will now be the 1st stage of the Pyrenees, where he dearly defended his 3rd place overall. The leader of Cofidis, supported by Pierre-Luc Périchon and Nicolas Edet until the ascent of Port de Balès, then held the infernal pace imposed by the Jumbo-Visma, and resisted the multiple attacks.
A collective work and a powerful finale
In the end of climbing of Col de Peyresourde, less then 7 km before the finish, Guillaume started the attack. With panache and self-sacrifice, he forced the favourites to retaliate. Then, in the last kilometer, another attack - another proof of courage. Until the end, Guillaume Martin fought hard to defend his much-desired 3rd place in the general classification.
He is 9 seconds behind the yellow jersey, Adam Yates, and is one of the only four riders in the 'top 10' to have kept his place in the overall ranking on this turbulent day. Guillaume Martin knows however that nothing should be taken for granted. The battle starts again tomorrow. Between Pau and Laruns, the road will continue to rise, the passes will follow one after the other (five on the program) but the determination will still be as strong and uncompromising as ever.
GUILLAUME MARTIN SAID...
"The second part of the race was very intense from the Port de Balès. Pierre-Luc (Périchon) and Nicolas (Edet) placed me well at the bottom and accompanied me for part of the climb. In the final climb to Peyresourde, the rhythm was very fast and it was a question of holding on and keeping up the pace. I realized that I was doing well since I was with the first ones.
At the end of the climb, I went all in by attacking two kilometers before the summit in order to get a few seconds and why not the yellow jersey. I tried again at 1 km before the finish so there are no regrets. I finished with all the favourites and the gap widened behind me. It's a beautiful day and a great performance."