Ramonas Navardaukas (Garmin Sharp) is the new leader of the Circuit Cycliste Sarthe-Pays de Loire.  His solo victory came at the end of a long false flat at the top of Pré-en-Pail, which meant that he was able to take the stage and the overall lead. 

 

Though IAM Cycling came out of the gate with a plan to play for the win, the team did not come out on top, despite the hard work of all the riders. 

 

Kjell Carlström, who along with Rubens Bertogliati is acting as directeur sportif, emphasized the great effort the team members made. 

 

“Everyone put in his best effort and did his work well.  Stefan Denifl and Mathias Frank both managed to finish in the group just behind Navardaukas, who took off 3 kilometers from the line.  But we did not manage to make the selection on the climb as we had hoped; many of our opponents were able to stay in contact. 

 

"This does not detract from the merits of our riders.  Everyone is preparing for the Ardennes classics and the Tour of Romandie, and this event has allowed me to see that we have a motivated, supportive and strong group ready to take the fight directly to the best World Tour teams in the peloton.”

 

For his part, Mathias Frank lauded the excellent work his teammates did for him. 

 

“I had good legs today, but I just lacked that little something extra to make the difference.  I just didn’t have that little click.  Besides, it was really hot today and I was battling with cramps. 

 

"We definitely tightened the race on the final circuit but the climb in the end was not selective enough.  It would have had to have been longer.  But I am happy because I felt good overall, and that bodes well for the Ardennes and the Tour of Romandie.”