Algemeen Johannes Adamietz fourth in third stage of the Circuit des Ardennes

The third stage of the Circuit des Ardennes took place on Saturday between Charleville-Mézières and Aiglemont. It was a tough ride of 145 kilometers with over 2,250 meters of altitude gain. "It was fast from the beginning," says Johannes Adamietz. "The peloton quickly thinned out, and 25 kilometers before the end, at the top of a climb, Jarno Widar was able to break away with three others." 

Widar managed to stay at the front for a long time. "It was the perfect situation for me. When six riders, including myself, tried to bridge the gap from behind, I could let the others do the work." Five kilometers before the finish, the group came back together. Only Federico Savino from the Soudal-Quick-Step Devo team managed to stay ahead. "I tried to attack and managed to create a gap, but I was caught by the rest at the line." 

Adamietz is both happy and disappointed with his fourth-place finish. "I really thought I could win; we had done such strong teamwork with Jarno, he was really strong today. Besides, I was hoping to collect points for the general classification; then I might have been able to become the leader, but with a fourth-place finish, that's not possible. Tomorrow is the final stage. I guess it will end in a sprint, but I will do everything I can to score some bonifications along the way." 

Picture: Alexis Dancerelle