The neo-pro from Saint-Brieuc took his first top-three result of the season.
The Japan Cup weekend got underway with the traditional criterium race, which was again held on the streets of Utsunomiya. Around 34 kilometers in length, Saturday’s event was full gas from the beginning, the attacks coming in waves from those who were keen on splitting the field and preventing the day from coming down to a bunch sprint.
As expected, Soudal Quick-Step was at all times in the thick of the action, covering all the important moves. One of these took shape in the second part of the criterium, when Antoine Huby booked a place in a ten-man group that managed to establish a good gap over the peloton. The 23-year-old was among the strongest riders there, helping the move stay away until the finish, where he still had plenty of speed left to come home third behind Toms Skujins (Lidl-Trek), who won after a late attack.
“I’m really happy with this third place. It felt good to be in the mix for victory, it’s something that gives me confidence for Sunday’s race. Today was really fast, but this type of effort suits me, as I come from cyclo-cross. When we entered the final kilometer, I was confident because I knew I could produce a good sprint, and I’m content with being on the podium in this great country, which gave us such a warm welcome”, said Antoine after the first edition ever of the Japan Cup Criterium to be decided from the breakaway.
Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images
Antoine Huby 