The Grand Prix Ouest France-Plouay was again a battle between antagonists hoping to upset a bunch sprint finish and the sprinters’ teams hoping to keep it all together for their respective fastmen. It all played out in an exhilarating race right down to the final meters.

Trek Factory Racing did not get the result it wanted in a race that favors the strengths of Giacomo Nizzolo, one where he finished on the podium in second in 2013, and it was not for lack of effort.

The pinstriped team was active all race; first with Fumy Beppu joining the day’s five-man escape group that was brought back with around 45 kilometers to go, then Gregory Rast and Hayden Roulston pulled hard to help keep a late dangerous move in check, and finally Fabio Felline jumped with numerous moves in the crucial last kilometers.

When everything came back together over the final climb and the last relics were neutralized - thanks in part to a huge effort from Fabio Silvestre before Team Katusha took over - and with less than one kilometer remaining, Giacomo Nizzolo held second wheel.  It all seemed to be playing by the book for Trek Factory Racing.

Except second wheel was not where Nizzolo wanted to be 800 meters from the line and a sweeping downhill before the final uphill meters.

“The problem was Giacomo made a mistake in the sprint,” explained director Alain Gallopin. “He was in the wheel of Kristoff but then he jumped to another wheel and it was not a good option because after he was too early in the front. Then they all came from behind…If he had stayed in the wheel of Kristoff it would have been good. But a mistake in the sprint, then it’s finished eh?”

Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) played the game of patience perfectly and outkicked all to take the victory.

Giacomo Nizzolo was swarmed as riders overtook him from behind; he lost his good position, briefly tried to find a last-second open door to no avail, and when he knew he was out of the running sat up and finished in a disappointing 31st place.

Gallopin added:

“All the team was good today. They all did their jobs and worked well together. It was good to have Fumy in the breakaway and take responsibility off us, and then Hayden and Greggy helped control a dangerous breakaway in the last part. Felline was very strong, he tried a few times to get away, but it did not work out, so as expected we went full in for Giacomo for the sprint. It was all good until the end…It’s a pity we had this mistake.”