The local Wallonie-Bruxelles team has had an amazing Tour de Wallonie. Already holding the mountains jersey with Ludwig De Winter, the team claimed the sprints jersey with Sebastien Delfosse in stage 4.
"We had to have someone in the breakaway today to protect the jersey of Ludwig De Winter," Delfosse told Directvelo. "Since I already had points in the mountains competition, it was good that it was me. Tomorrow I think we have to be uiet as the first category climbs come in the end. This will certainly be an aggressive fight for victory but none of the favourites will be focused on the mountains jersey.
"On a personal level, once I was in the break, it was easy to take the sprints jersey. I already had three points so it was enough for me to win the first two sprints. I was even able to take maximum points today. It gives me a small advantage which is wonderful.
"Regarding the stage, we still had to fight to get clear this morning. The peloton would not let us get a big lead at the start and we were only two riders to work. But the resources are there and also the form. We knew that it would be difficult to make it to the end. The wind was strong and it cost us a lot of energy."
"Sébastien Delfosse has accomplished his mission," De Winter said.." I even thought he would take my jersey. Fortunately, I could keep it (laughs). The most important is that we now have two jerseys in the team.
"For me personally, today was a very difficult day. I paid the price for the efforts of the previous day. As the end of yesterday's stage I suffered from cramps. It was there again when we climbed the Tienne du Dragon. So I finished the stage calmly, hoping that the legs are better tomorrow. Especially since we will will have to fight hard to keep this jersey.
"Tomorrow will be a special step for me because it takes place at home, in Binche. I hope I can join the break, show myself and obviously take the points needed to win the mountains classification. From the team perspective, we will fight for our two riders, Antoine Demoitié and Antoine Warnier who are both in good positions overall."
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