Paris-Tours is the last classic of the season. Roy Jans came in fifth after the 231-kilometre long race, which started in Chartres and finished on the iconic Avenue de Grammont in Tours. It was Jans’ 28th top ten of the season and his tenth top five.

It was a hard race where the wind played a determining role. Jans was part of the decisive breakaway together with Kévin Van Melsen. This 31-man strong group rode off after several kilometres.

“We were not even at 5 km when the peloton split. When I saw which guys were in this group I already thought that we would get far together,” said Jans.

Kévin Van Melsen had to let the group go and therefore couldn’t help Jans in the final of Paris-Tours.

“I am really disappointed because I was in the right breakaway. At every turn, when the wind changed direction, it was hectic and nervous. I got dropped and remained at only 20 metres for a kilometre. Then I had to let go. However, I am proud of the level I have reached after my knee surgery this summer. I have been in major breakaways in GP de Wallonie, Binche-Chimay-Binche and today again.”

Jans remained part of the first group and did very well.

“It was flying today. With an average speed of almost 50 km/h it was à bloc the entire day. In the final, a group with Van Avermaet, Van der Sande and winner Trentin attacked. Unfortunately they let Benoot go from the group I was in or I would have been fourth today.”

“This result wasn’t bad at all but it could have been better if we would have had more guys in the first group. This goes for other teams too of course. Trek and Cofidis didn’t have anyone in that first group for instance. Roy’s result was the best possible result for today,” sports director Hilaire Van Der Schueren concludes.