26.07.2024
After yesterday’s win, the former European champion started the last stage with a 6-second lead on his closest rival, Corbin Strong (Israel - PremierTech). The peloton came back together at the start of the final ascent of Mur de Thuin so the overall win was to be decided in a final sprint. Matteo finished 8th while Corbin, got 6 bonus seconds thanks to his second place.
Equal in time, the overall victory eventually came to the sum of placings of all stages between the two riders, granting the Tudor Pro Cycling rider the win in the General Classification.
Matteo was relieved as the final results were announced: “It’s great to get a win the GC. Congrats to Corbin Strong as well, as this was a very tight battle. For us it would have been good for the breakaway to make it to the finish, but Jimmy Janssen was in there, so we had to keep it closer than originally wanted (1min 11secs behind Matteo in the GC). The team was very strong today. Arthur (Kluckers) and Jacob (Eriksson) rode in the beginning in a two against 16 battle, while the others helped in the final circuit to control the situation. It eventually came out that we would decide the victory on placements and seconds at the finish and I made it. It’s special to win my first general classification ever.”
Photo: Sprint Cycling
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