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Au lendemain de la prise de pouvoir de Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates XRG) lors du contre-la-montre, les coureurs du Tour du Luxembourg abordaient ce dimanche leur cinquième et ultime étape, dernière occasion de renverser l’Américain. Avec plus de 3000 m de dénivelé positif tout au long de la journée, les coureurs offensifs ne se sont pas fait prier pour animer la course, disputée sous la pluie et sur des routes détrempées. Finalement, ce ne sont pas les adversaires directs du vainqueur du Grand Prix de Montréal qui se sont montrés mais bien Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) et Ben Healy (EF Education EasyPost), sortis à 25 km de l’arrivée pour se jouer la victoire. Et dans la dernière ascension de la journée, le Français s’est défait de son adversaire irlandais pour s’offrir sa deuxième victoire cette semaine et clôturer ce Tour du Luxembourg de la plus belle des manières. De son côté, Brandon McNulty n’a pas été inquiété et offre sa 86e victoire à l’équipe UAE Team Emirates XRG.
Video : Skoda Tour de Luxembourg
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[Music] The Scoda tour of Luxembourg has been amazing. The weather’s been a delight, but not on the final day. The rain clouds came, a damp road surface, and a lot of trepidation out there looking magnificent. Mil Morak in the King of the Mountains jersey so many points in the break. It looked nailed on that he would at least take that title. But with four climbs out there, a bonus sprint as well and a coveted stage win up for grabs, who might be tempted to get up the road. In the end, the clouds did not brighten or indeed diminish the mood of these guys. 12 went off the front. Gole for a Gekk from Ara. Dathan 82R had Bisiger up there. Max Walker from EF Education. Teo Gagenheart made the trip for Little Pellaini for Groupama. Pison for Sudo Quickstep along with Bice, Urati, Benzel, Gashinar, and Han Halar. This was something very special. So, what sort of gap might they achieve? And could they indeed steal a stage win by the end of the day? Well, yes, that was on the cards. 3 minutes was the maximum and then it was starting to be paired back. So, who was doing the chasing? That was the big question. Well, the men in blue, Grubama, Francis Zajer, possibly getting greedy, thinking of an upset. Brena McNelte, our glorious leader, coming into the day, but the pelatin was splitting under the hammer blows being issued by Groupama Francis Dea. They wanted this. Roman Gregoire had taken the opening stage. He’d seeded the leader jersey. Didn’t have such a great time trial when Brandon McNelte finished second to Ethan Hater. And as a result, McNelte was always going to be the favorite. But you know what? Status like that has to be tested. And that’s what we had here. The gap was coming down. Would the breakaway survive was the big question. As we passed by the Danga Castle, the hairpins and the road surface were starting to worry. The rain had come. We had standing water in certain parts of the course. And by the time we got to our final circuit, which had characterized this race, it was something to worry about. Joining the fun with Judah Pro Cycling, presumably wanting to work for the Grand Duke himself, Mark Hershey Marka would not be part of proceedings. He sadly abandoning before the end of the final day. Always a bad thing for any rider. And it was handshakes all round by our breakaway. Well, not all of them. Last chance of glory, last roll of the dice. End of Palaini went up the road taking with him Matt Venzel. They were going for last man standing. Maybe a combativity prize by the end of the day. But who from the pelatin might be tempted with the gap now less than a minute. The climbs here and the falls which would come on this day in the wet were going to define it. Benzel alone up front. He had Uriati as a teammate. That was the only blessing as far as the break was concerned. Always good to have a man at hand and a good man he is as he headed for the Pabia but they were closing and it was a time to reach out potentially for a bit of glory or maybe a lot. Ben Healey is a terrier. He went for it straight on his back wheel. Who else other than Roman Gregoire Hershey thought about it as well sat back down and thought let’s see how this one develops with two laps to go. The last man standing from the break. Lenzel crossed the line, but he had pursuers here. They were bridging over to the rest of the breakaway. Benzel made an escape, but only by a modest margin. 13 seconds was the gap that he held and Healey was on his case. Likewise with Gregoire. And that is a proper fighting force. Could they hold it until the end? The gap still narrowing. Maybe bonus seconds would factor into this by the end. Hershey just wanted a bit of glory when he comes so close on this race. Set off early, don’t forget on stage three. Faded to six by going too soon. And he made the same mistake again. Well, as the weather got worse and the water becoming more of a factor, and it did indeed for Matt Venzel coming into this hairpin to take them, of course, back to that start finishing line. He lost the back wheel momentarily and backed out of it. Safety first. This is crazy, he thought. He might have been right. Mark Hershey also pulled the pin, said, “Forget this.” And guess who is doing the chasing now? UE Mermits of course with Baron McNelte his leader jersey still shrouded in a rain cape. Meanwhile pair up front they were sharing the spoils as we cross the line to take the bell. So bring it home. What a big ask. U chasing any help for Healey wasn’t going to come from Richard Carropaz unfortunately. Quick bike change for him. Everyone else thinking about the finale but also looking at the gap. Minute and nine they were reassembling themselves but not as a fighting force. In fact, UAT main riders had done their job for Brandon McNelte. He would have to fight for himself at the end. And so the drive went on 2.3 km from home and ultimately Benzel was going to be caught on the Pab once more. 15% gradients. Nobody was having a laugh here, but somebody would be grinning at the end of the day. And that man surely was going to be Roman Gregoire. He kicked on, drove away at the Flam Rouge. Left a big gap between himself and Ben Healey. Healey would be runner up on the day, but there was bonus seconds out there and some were losing their chain, maybe losing their minds. A title up for grabs. What would the clock say? Greg Wall knew that every second counts, including the bonuses. He was going to take a hatful, but would it be enough to move him within the overall classification? Ben Healey was charging into the gap, but Gregoire held on for a fabulous win, bookending this race and holding up the dual fingers at the end of this one. Mission accomplished by him. Stage win. Could the prize be even greater? The clock began to count. Well, we had ourselves a sprint and Brandon McNalty at a moment such as this brought the leader blue and gold jersey to the front. Looked for all intents and purposes that he would cross the line in third place. But I’ve got to tell you that Sarah Ryman had other ideas through the bike, nicked the bonus seconds, and the gap was set. Well, it’s crazy, said Gregoire. So I’ve done five days of racing for it to end in a sprint. I’ve ended this brilliantly. So I’ve absolutely loved it. I just wanted to give absolutely everything on such a difficult race and and so I’m just so grateful and we are to him as well. Two stage wins for a Gregoire coming home at a Healey Ramine McNelte. Carropazi top five. Hershey in seventh place behind Harry P. And what about this man Brandon McNelte? He is our champion. Carropaz wanted to hold on of course to a podium spot which he got. Chelmos was runner up. McNia our champion by Mo. 47 seconds. What a great race. Always is when we come to Luxembourg for the Scoda Tour. [Music] [Music]