Our 21-year-old Colombian nabbed his tenth podium of 2018.
Since 2005, when Grand Prix de Fourmies was elevated to a 1.HC race, no South American rider has managed to make its way onto the podium of the French event. That was until Sunday, when Alvaro Hodeg finished behind Pascal Ackermann (Bora-hansgrohe) and Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ), at the end of 205 undulating and demanding kilometers.
The day was animated by five riders, who attacked as soon as the peloton left behind the neutral section and established a four-minute buffer over the bunch, which was led by several teams, including Quick-Step Floors, winner on two occasions at the French race. Even after the breakaway got reeled in and other riders tried to foil the sprinters' plans, our team continued to marshal the front of the pack, making sure it all came down to a bunch gallop on the streets of the small town located in the Nord department.
There, Alvaro Hodeg made up important ground with 300 meters to go and claimed the tenth podium of a season which can already be labeled as remarkable for the 21-year-old Colombian, winner of four races, two of which at World Tour level: stage 1 at Volta a Catalunya and stage 3 of the Tour de Pologne.
Photo credit: ©Justin Setterfield/ Getty Images
