Pepijn Renderink moves up the rankings after a strong ride.
Penultimate stage of the Boucles de la Mayenne was an Ardennes Classics-style one, numbering a total of eleven climbs in the last 100 kilometers that splintered the peloton and left only a dozen or so riders in contention at the finish in Pré-en-Pail-Saint-Samson.
The group from where Benoit Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates) sprinted to victory Saturday afternoon emerged from an already reduced peloton in the closing kilometers of what had been an eventful stage, marked by numerous attacks. Some 40 seconds later, Pepijn finished as part of a small group as the highest-ranked Soudal Quick-Step rider and made a jump of twelve places on the general classification.
On Sunday, this 51st edition of the Boucles de la Mayenne will come to a conclusion in Laval, from where it started two days ago, with what should be an opportunity for the sprinters.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
