CLÉMENT BRAZ AFONSO from the 17th stage of The return This Wednesday … just to come back to what happened Tuesday during the 16th short stage because of …. If the overall result was superb Tuesday with three runners in the 10 and a new podium, the team Groupama-FDJ Can nevertheless come out very frustrated after tutoring the victory on Tuesday The return 2025. In excess with Clément Braz Afonso, Rudy Molard et Brieuc Rolland In the breakaway which received the blessing of the peloton to play the win on this 16th stage, the men in blue did everything well in the final and seemed to imitate to imitate David Gaudu (winner of the 3rd stage). Until this cursed puncture occurred in the worst time to BRAZ AFONSOwhen he had managed to accompany Egan Bernal et Mikel Rural (Excuse the little) in Prado alto, which has become the last difficulty of the day following the decision of the organizers to move the finish line 8 km away, due to the demonstrations taking place in the final climb. A blow of fate that deprived the 25 -year -old runner of a great opportunity to win his first career success.
“Even if I proved that I was able to follow Landa and Bernal …”
CLÉMENT BRAZ AFONSO returned to the course of this very special day in the long report published by his team in the evening. “”I really wanted to be in front of today. I really think that my legs had on Sunday, and I wanted to have been poorly placed and not to hooked the group that was playing the victory. I ruminated for two days and I wanted to make the right legs of the moment today. The goal was to be in the breakaway, and we did it wonderfully with Rudy, our dad and master, and we rookies them. We quickly understood that this escape would go far. When it settled, I remembered what the DS had told me some time ago. The first attack in a large group goes far, so when I saw Landa and Bernal go there, I went there too “he explained concerning the good blow which was formed more than 50 km from the finish.
With the return of Rolland and Nico Denzfive men therefore took the lead and were never taken up by the rest of the breakaway after a beautiful showdown. If his teammate fell slightly in the final, “CBA” seemed to fly and hung on. “”I had good legs and I managed to follow Landa and Bernal. It's amazing to end up with these guys, who are champions for me. I understood that I was in a big day. Everything was going well for me. Brieuc was going back, so I was on the wheels, I was towed. I told myself that it was perhaps my day, that there was a great opportunity. I really thought about it. And then there is this puncture … I felt my wheel luggish little by little, I felt that it was floating a little at the back then I understood that I had completely punctured. I was flat, I had to stop … “
“Maybe it will end up smiling in the future …”
No one can know what would have happened without this puncture, but everything was playable in this three -old sprint with two opponents not necessarily renowned for their speed of speed. CLÉMENT BRAZ AFONSO will finally have to be satisfied with a 5th place, Brieux Rolland taking advantage of him to get his 2nd podium in a few days. “”There is a lot of disappointment. Even if I proved to be that I was able to follow Landa and Bernal in this bump, it is the disappointment that takes precedence because I think I could play the victory. The fate has decided for me today, but maybe it will end up smiling in the future. We can still be satisfied to finish third, fifth and tenth (for Rudy, editor's note). We have shown that we were strong in this stage and what I did today opens up opportunities for the future
