Briton Dan McLay, 23, took his first professional win for the Bretagne-Séché Environnement team at the end of stage 3 of the Tropicale Amissa Bongo in Gabon. He won the bunch sprint ahead of teammate Yauheni Hutarovich. The victory was a big surprise as he was set to lead the Belarusian out as the main sprinter had shown great condition in the first few stages.
As opposed to this, Dan McLay had suffered a lot in the heat and humidity of the first two stages.
"I am very happy with this first victory as a pro," he said. "It is a bit of a surprise as I planned to lead Huta out in the last kilometre. But it went so fast. I do not know what happened. Hewas not in my wheel with 300 meters to do. I decided to play my card. I felt better in the third stage. It took me some time to acclimatize to the heat, it's over 30 degrees here. It is even more difficult than it was at the Tour de San Luis in Argentina in January."
The victory was made even better by the fact that Yauheni Hutarovich finished scond and almost passed the Brit on the line. The two riders got to know each other at the Tour de San Luis in January and quickly found out how to work together in the final kilometres.
His teammate Eduardo Sepulveda who has been riding the team pursuit for Argentina at the Track World Championships, celebrates the win.
"Dan has incredible power. It's impressive to ride with him in the pack and watch him do these short efforts. He is young but what a talent!"
Sepulveda is only six months older than McLay, meaning that Bretagne have lots of exciting talent on offer.
30.03: The Bueng Si Fai |
30.03: Gran Premio Miguel Indurain |
30.03: Volta Limburg Classic |
31.03: Ronde van Vlaanderen |
31.03: Ronde van Vlaanderen |
29.03 - 01.04: Ster van Zuid Limburg |
01.04: Gran Premio del Perdono |
01.04: Ronde de Mouscron |
01.04: Giro del Belvedere |
02.04: G.P. Palio del Recioto |
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