ProTeam Sander Armée takes solo win after exemplary teamwork with Harm Vanhoucke

Sander Armée has won the third stage in the Tour Poitou-Charentes. In Jaunay-Marigny the 34-year-old Belgian successfully finished off a breakaway with teammate Harm Vanhoucke and the Spanish rider Irisarri. After exemplary teamwork Armée narrowly resisted the sprinting peloton. Vanhoucke finished 9th and strengthened his lead in the mountain classification during the stage.

Sander Armée:

“Harm and I accelerated immediately after the start. The Spanish rider Irisarri joined our breakaway. It was a short stage of 98 kilometers, so the plan was to ride as hard as possible and then see where the ship lands. Harm also collected important points for the KOM classification. We never got much of an advantage, but we managed to keep the two minute gap surprisingly well. With 30 kilometers to go we passed the finish for the last time. At that moment we really started to believe in the stage victory. ”

“I knew the peloton was faster than us on the flat sections, but on the many climbs we rode a very fast pace. I still felt quite good in the final. Harm and I decided to take turns attacking, but Irisarri turned out to be stronger than I expected. Fortunately, I had one cartouche left with one kilometer to go. I accelerated and had a gap on the others. In the end I resisted the peloton with a few seconds. That way I could still enjoy the last hectometres. ”

“I usually ride in service of the team. When I get the chance to go for a win, it feels great to be able to finish it off. I don't win often, but when I win, it is always a nice victory. ”

Photo: Julie Desanlis - Directvelo