ProTeam Harm Vanhoucke fourth in the Classic Grand Besaçon Doubs

He hoped for a top ten finish before, and those expectations were nicely fulfilled: Harm Vanhoucke (26) finished fourth in the French Montfaucon in the Classic Grand Besançon. "I knew my form was good, after the Volta Limburg last week," he said. "So I was expecting something from today. Top ten, maybe top five at best. Fourth is better than expected, and I'm super happy about that." 

Six riders stayed ahead for kilometers. "At one point, the breakaway had a seven-minute lead. We gave them a bit too much, which of course resulted in a tough finale. Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team and Groupama-FDJ eventually started chasing hard from the hill zone, and that was only in my favor. Everyone arrived exhausted at the foot of the final climb, and that's what I like." 

Vanhoucke eventually finished alone and crossed the line after winner Lenny Martinez, Victor Langellotti and David Gaudu. "I missed the beginning of the season after getting sick in Oman, and it lasted quite a while. That today went well gives confidence for tomorrow. Then the Tour du Jura Cycliste is on the agenda. The final climb should suit me a bit better than today's, and we have a team here with which we can make something happen, I think. So, we're starting with ambition." 

Lotto Dstny had another rider in the top ten besides Vanhoucke: Sylvain Moniquet finished ninth.

Picture: PhotoNews