Tinkoff-Saxo’s Matti Breschel made a bold effort to exchange yesterday’s second place for a stage win. Breschel launched an early move on the finishing climb in Namur but was caught going under the flamme rouge from where he latched on to a decimating group of favorites. “In cycling, if you don’t risk something, you’ll never gain everything”, says sports director Lars Michaelsen.
 
Following 207 cold, rainy kilometers from Bastogne to Namur, Matti Breschel took 10thplace, 4 seconds off stage winner Philippe Gilbert after the team had put in an effort to prepare the terrain for the fast Dane. Team sports director Lars Michaelsen adds about the final uphill battle up the 1.9km Côte de la Citadelle:
 
“On the finishing climb to the Citadelle in Namur, Matti launched an attack with 1.6k to go going a bit below his maximum to provoke an uphill fight among the favorites. Nobody reacted to Matti’s attack before Gilbert countered him and finally set a pace that was just a notch to high for Matti to follow at that moment. However, Matti came in with the group of favorites trailing by 4 seconds”, explains Lars Michaelsen before adding.

“Our team of just five riders worked very well, riders like McCarthy and Chris Juul put in a dedicated effort and were essential in reeling the breakaway back in. Matti took a chance today – he wanted to swap his second place from yesterday with a win. In cycling, if you don’t risk something, you’ll never gain everything. It was a bold move that could have paid off big time, while he probably could have finished 2nd or 3rd had he waited”.
 
Tomorrow’s flatter stage could prove harder than on paper, with harsh weather conditions affecting Tour de Wallonie.
 
“We will be on the lookout again tomorrow. Stage four looks like a bunch sprint finish but the wind, if it’s from the right direction, could stir things up and create some ravage. Today, we saw that Brutt crashed due to the slippery Wallonian roads. Fortunately, he came back and ended up putting in a solid effort, but it shows that we must stay attentive especially in these conditions”, finishes Lars Michaelsen.