LAMPRE-MERIDA did not succeed in extending the winning tradition in Gp Plouay, after Pozzato victory in 2013 and Bole success in 2011.
Despite this, blue-fuchsia-green riders demonstrated they were competitive in the final part of the race, when it was enlivened after a first part that was characterized by a slow pace and by a breakaway of 4 riders that was neutralized at 50 km to go.
Before the last lap of the circuit, Durasek joined a very interesting attempt and with important riders such as Kwiatkowski, Nordhaug, Wellens, Hermans, Tulik and Jensen and their action had a maximum advantage of 50″, before the bunch instesified the chase and neutralized the breakaway.
The last lap was characterized by many attempts and in one of them there were the world champion Rui Costa (photo Bettini) and Mori too, but none of these action had good luck.
At 5 km to go an attack by Gautier allowed other 6 riders to escape from the bunch: it was the good attempt that gave Chavanel the victory.
For LAMPRE-MERIDA, Mori obtained the 35th position, Rui Costa was 92nd.
“The most interesting actions took place in the final part of the race and could be in each of them - sport director Maini explained - Unfortunately, we missed the winning one, so we obtained none in the race.
We appreciated Rui Costa’s performance: this was his first race since his withdrawal from Tour de France, but he demonstrated that he’s competitive and willing to be protagonist in the final part of the season”.
RACE RESULTS
1- Chavanel 5h38’26″
2- Fedi s.t.
3- Vichot s.t.
4- Gautier s.t.
35- Mori 2″
57- Oliveira s.t., 92- Rui Costa 11″, 109- Valls 1’13″, 122- Durasek 2’50″, 136- Cattaneo 5’44″, 137- Cimolai s.t., Wackermann dnf