The lull between cobbled action was more than filled by bold breakaways, fast sprints and the tick-tick-tick of a TT clock. Let’s get straight to the action at the Volta a Catalunya and the Criterium International.

Volta a Catalunya, Stage 6, Sant Joan Despi to Villanova i le Geltru, 197.2km

What a thriller of finish! With the last of break swept up in the dying metres, Lampre-Merida’s Davide Cimolai hit the front to take the first win of the year for the fuchsia clad team. Nikias Arndt (Giant-Alpecin) battled well to take second with Lotto-Soudal’s Tosh van der Sande rounded out the podium.  The GC guys finished in the bunch and no one sneaked bonus seconds so it’s as you were in the overall (Quintana, Contador, Porte). We’re all set for  hi-jinks and action on the Montjuic laden final stage.

Lampre worked so hard for their win…

Catch the highlights here….

Criterium International, stages 1 and 2

The Corsican stage race kicked off with a double stage. The short but sweet 90km road stage ended with a bunch sprint and VICTORY for Bora-Argon’s Sam Bennett from Rudy Barbier (Roubaix Lille Metropole) and Romain Feillu (HP-BTP Auber93). The peloton had a bit of rest before the traditional TT around beautiful Porto Vechio.  Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) took his first ever win against the clock beating French Champion Jerome Coppel (IAM) and FDJ teamate Alexander Geniez – there really is NO STOPPING FDJ in the contre-le-montre stakes this season. Tibbles takes the leader’s jersey and will look to hold it on the finish atop the Col de L’Ospidal on stage 3. The conclusion will be shown live, it’ll be a scorcher!

First win of the year for Sammy B and the Argonauts (and yes he DOES look good in the leader’s jersey)…

Chillin’ in compression socks – as you do…

We’re VERY pleased to see this #WelcomeBackChad

Links: 

Official site for Volta a Catalunya, Twitter #voltacatalunya

Official site for Criterium International, Twitter #CritInter

Featured Image: Thibaut Pinot on his way victory. Image from race website, © ASO/B.Bade.