CyclingQuotes.com 40-year-old Hinault still going strong at Tro-Bro Leon

IAM CYCLING

TRO BRO LÉON

21.04.2014 @ 12:57 Posted by Emil Axelgaard

40-year-old Sebastien Hinault proved that he is still going strong when the IAM rider almost took a top result on the gravel roads of yesterday's Tro-Bro Leon. Having missed the key move, he used his IAM team to bring him back in contention but a puncture just as he was about to bridge across, derailed his plans.

At 40 years old, Sébastien Hinault is still as outgoing as ever. And it doesn’t take much for the “youngster”, as his directeur sportif Eddy Seigneur affectionately calls him, to make a play for the win in a race.

Considering the circumstances today, the oldest rider on the IAM Cycling team was pleased with his 17th place, 45 seconds behind the day’s winner, Adrien Petit (Cofidis).

“I punctured at the worst possible moment when I was less than 10 seconds behind the escape group of eight. I had to start from scratch in the pack, but I found my good feelings again; the legs were good.

"I had all the trumps. So I am pleased with this Tro Bro, particularly because I have struggled since the beginning of the season with a crash first and then suffered from gastroenteritis during the classics, which are so dear to my heart. I was not at my usual level.

"But the wheels turn and it is still an accomplishment to do well in these conditions. Now I’ll take some time and get ready for the Tour of Norway in order to be strong for the second half of the season.”

Eddy Seigneur, directeur sportif for IAM Cycling, learned the ways of the rough roads called ribins in this region.

“Bad luck still has a hold of us. The team did a very good job. Kevyn Ista was able to close a hole which allowed Sébastien make his play for the day, but just at that moment, Sébastien punctured.”

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