A gritty performance for Team Colombia-Coldeportes in the opening stage of France race Circuit Cycliste Sarthe(Sablé-sur-Sarthe – Varades 189 Km), stage race. The early phases of the race were characterized by the attack of Carlos Mario Ramirez, but the peloton caught the breakaway in the last kilometer.

In the final sprint another Escarabajo, Sebastian Molano, claimed the eighth place as French Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) took the stage-win ahead of Nathan Haas (Cannondale-Garmin) and Raymond Kreder (Team Rompoot).

Ramirez with the other two escapees – Van Rensburg (MTN Qhubeka) and Le Marchand (Cult Energy) – moved on the attack after 6 Km, reaching 11:30 of maximum advantage. In the second part of the race, the sprinters’ teams got back in control, whilst Colombia-Coldeportes’ Leonardo Duque and Edwin Avila launched Molano’s sprint.

“The team was in the spotlight the whole day”, Sports Director Valerio Tebaldi said. “I have no regrets: the break with Ramirez was caught in the last kilometer, but we didn’t lose heart and we have prepared Molano’s sprint. The guys showed a good shape and we are confident in view of the upcoming stages”.

Tomorrow, Wednesday April 8th, the Escarabajos will face two half-stages: a road one in the morning (Varades – Angers 83,9 Km) and an ITT in the afternoon (Angers – Angers 8,8 Km).