OPQS rider Jan Bakelants finished 2nd in the final, 191.9km Stage of Tour du Poitou-Charentes on Friday. The stage came down to the final kilometers as two riders had a small gap. However, they were eventually caught with just a couple kilometers to go.
A small group of riders had an advantage once the duo were caught and it came down to that group holding off the field in the sprint.
Jesus Herrada (Movistar) beat Bakelants to the line, and Nicola Ruffoni (Bardiani - CSF) was 3rd.
Julien Vermote was the top OPQS finisher in the overall classification, in 20th place.
Mark Cavendish — after winning the first two sprint stages — took home the points jersey (66 points).
"The parcours was quite difficult," Bakelants said. "I wanted to try my chance before the finish. There was a small hill and I attacked with a few riders at about 4km to go, and we went to the finish. The peloton was really close, but we had enough time to organize the sprint. In the last corner I started the sprint from behind. I was starting to catch up to Herrada, but it was a bit too late. It's a pity and it hurt a bit to lose by just a few centimeters, because it would have been nice to get the victory for the team. But I had a good feeling and that's important in function of GP Ouest-Plouay on Sunday, where I hope to do well."
