Tour de France (stage 6): Matis Louvel in the breakaway
Matîs Louvel did part of stage 6 of the Tour de France (Tarbes – Cauterets) in the breakaway. The rider from Normandy was caught on the Tourmalet climb.
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“I’ve had good legs for a few weeks now. I also know I’ve made progress in the mountains, but I never thought I’d have such a day. I’d intended to get into the breakaway to help my leaders, but I was the only team representative at the front. I hung on as long as I could. The pace was high. I pulled away on the Tourmalet so as not to explode. Even though my legs are aching tonight, I’m happy with my day. It was great because there are a lot of people on the cols, and people are starting to recognize me, chanting my name, and that’s obviously a boost. I had a little fun on the final stretch of the Tourmalet when I tried to follow the Vingegaard-Pogacar duo for a few metres”.
“We know that Matîs has been in good condition since the French Championships. His mission was to get into the breakaway with either Warren Barguil or Clément Champoussin, but they didn’t make it. In any case, we can see that Warren has made clear progress since the Netherlands, and that Clément has stayed in contact with the best for a long time. In any case, that’s what we’re expecting during the next mountain stages of this Tour de France”.