I had a nice rest during the month of March following my Double Victory in the Nationals. Saying that, I didn't really spend much time off the bike. The first week was spent spinning the legs on the climbs around Geneva, waiting of my new Jersey to arrive. When it did, I worn it around my flat, and even slept in it for the first night.
The first stage was all about Bryan. It was flat, and looking at the Sprinting Competition in the field, we were hoping for at least a Top 5. The opening 89km stage was going to be fast, and my month away from the racing was a real test on my legs.
With 5km to go, I came forward to do my job in the lead-out train. Angelo Tulik was on my wheel, with Yohann Gène being the last man ahead of Coquard. My legs burned as I dropped off with 3km to go, and Bryan sprinted to an excellent 4th place. I rolled in after doing my job, to finish 49th.
After the short stage 1 came the 7km ITT, ridden on the same day. I was hoping that my work in the lead-out in stage 1 would loosen my legs. I would be the case, as I stormed a 12th place finish, only 16" down on the stage winner Manuele Boaro (Tinkoff).
The final stage saw me attack off the front early in the race, where my performance in the ITT meant that the White U25 Jersey replaced the National Rainbow Flag Jersey. I had no intention of winning the KoM jersey, but my competitive instinct meant that the others in the break had a fight on their hands.
The Mountains are not my strong point though, and as the road went up again and again, I couldn't hold the pace of the stronger riders. The favourites were attacking behind, and the break upped it's pace to try and stay off the front. With my day over, I told the team bosses that the others could begin the drilling on the front.
One by one, the team worked hard on the front of the peleton for Tommy. With 6km to go, he was off the front, with only Duarte (Colombia) and Peraud (AG2R) for company. With 3km, Peraud was dropped, and in the sprint for the win, Duarte didn't have it in the legs to come around him. It was a great victory for Voeckler, but sadly not enough for the GC victory. I finished with main gruppetto, 15 minutes down in 58th.
The opening two stages would be for Coquard who, like in Corsica, would be our man in the Sprints. However, one change from that race would be my role. For the first time since the Tour Series round in Durham 11 months ago, I would be a Team Leader! After the short time trial on Stage 3, the GC looks like it will be decided on the Hilly Stage 4, and most likely just be confirmed on the final stage. Still, no pressure with the sponsors wanting a minimum Top 5 GC finish...
Race Report
The first two stages were all about looking after myself in the peleton, not stupidly losing time, and letting the team focus on Bryan in the Sprints. Both stages would almost be a carbon copy of each other, with Demare (FDJ) winning both Sprints, and Coquard performing brilliantly to take two 3rd place finishes. Thank god we had Jimmy Engoulvent working as Road Captain. His organisation of the lead-out and control of the team was brilliant, and he let me concentrate fully on my job on the road.
The first three stages of the Circuit Sarthe had left me in a good position on GC, and I was confident that I could carry on my form going into the final stages. I just had to be mindful of the Big Names who were behind me, and I knew it was going to be an aggressive race.
It would be Sergio Henao (Sky) who made the first move from the GC Favourites, attacking as the gap to break dipped under 1 minute. I tried to follow, but he was far too strong, and I found myself in a chase group with Maxime Bouet (AG2R), Henao's teammate Ben Swift and Julien Simon (Cofidis). Henao would comfortably win the stage, as I finished 5th, losing over 2 minutes to the Sky man.
I went into the final stage laying 5th on GC, and knowing that I would have to attack to conserve my position on GC. And attack is what I did! A group of 6 formed the days break early in the race, and following a tactic similar to the one that won me the Lincoln GP last year, I pressed hard on the front with Thurau protecting me from the wind. We built up a lead of 1'22", leaving all but Henao and Dries Devenyns (Giant) behind.
We pressed on, building a good lead, and soon the fans on the route were looking at the GC podium if the race like this. When Devenyns and Henao attacked with 10km to go, I couldn't follow, like in the previous stage. I had done too much of the work and my legs were burning. The Giant rider would take the win on the final stage, with Henao confirming his GC victory. I finished the stage in 3rd, just hanging on as the GC men who missed the original Kamikaze attacked late in the stage and also caught me.
The gap was enough to secure a podium spot on the GC, and I comfortably won the U25 classification. I was given the responsibility of being the Team Leader, and I grabbed the chance with both hands. I was tired, sore and ready for a rest for Fleche Wallonne, but despite all of that, I loved it!
It is amazing how at ease Bernaudeau can put you when you walk into his office. A coffee is waiting for you, and he loves to have a nice chat about how life is treating you before he gets down to the nitty-gritty conversation.
This news was music to my ears, and it was great to see the Development Squad was looking like an early success in finding talent. However, there was more. Management wanted me to take the new guys under my wing when they arrive, acting like a big brother, and making sure that they settled well into the squad. I was more than happy to say 'Yes!'
If I told you I was not nervous today and you believed me, then I must have one hell of a Pokerface. Today, 23rd April 2014, will be a very significant date in my life, as today, I make my WorldTour debut at the Flèche Wallonne.
My role in the race will be Team-Mate / Free Role, depending on how the race unfolds. Tommy Voeckler will be the Leader on the road, hoping to continue his great form after his 5th place finish in Amstel Gold.Pierre Rolland working as his Number 2 / Plan B option, with Arashiro and Davide Malacarne riding in a similar role to myself.
Race Report
Arashiro was the best placed at the start of the race to attack, and follow the riders to form the day's breakaway. A total of 6 riders would create the lead group, with Bennett (Cannondale), Goos (Belkin), Bonnafond (AG2R), Kurek (CCC) and Ligthart (Lotto) all present with Arashiro.
With Yukiya off the front, my Free Role changed to Team-Mate, and like in Tour du Haut Var, I was assigned to look after Tommy. The rolled along at a nice pace, and the breakaway was allowed a maximum 7'32" before the chase began.
The first passage of the Muur du Huy was nothing like I had ridden before. It was just like it is described: A Wall! The pace was high, and I just managed to stay the front and look after Voeckler. The second ascent, with 30km destroyed me, and that was end of my day working for the team. Pierre took over my duties, and gave me a pat on the back as I began to drift backwards.
CHUTE GILBERT! That was the shout that came down my earpiece as the Belgian and Race Favourite hit the front. Attacks were forming off the front, and somehow Gilbert was brought down. Voeckler was fine, but the crash had caused some splits in the group.
Tommy pressed on hard approaching the finish, bridging the gap to the break of the day with 10km to go. Rolland had done his job, and Yukiya led him out until the bottom of the Muur, where Voeckler had a 21" lead over the Race Favourites.
200metres to the finish, and Sagan (Cannondale), Nibali (Astana), Valverde (Movistar) and Dan Martin (Garmin) were closing in fast... Could the Frenchman hold on for a Historic win?
YES!!! What a win for Voeckler and Europcar. I was sat in the peleton, 4km from the finish when the news came over the radio, and I started to celebrate. My first WorldTour race and I was part of the winning team. I crossed the line in 33rd place, outsprinting Tom-Jelte Slagter on the line. I couldn't have been happier.
@mvh: The race was amazing! Went perfectly to plan, and Arashiro finished it all off with 9th from the break!
@sutty: Circuit Sarthe was a race where I think Martijn matured a lot as a rider. Grew into the role as leader, and looks a good bet for progressing into a Tony Martin Style short Stage Race rider I thought the stars mentoring was a nice touch, and a nice addition to the extension Fleche was an amazing race
Fabio Andres Duarte Arevalo
Thomas Löfkvist
Stef Clement
Manuele Boaro
Luis Largo
Tomasz Marczynski
Georg Preidler
, but he will be happy with Tommy's result 
Patrick Gretsch
Dries Devenyns
Ben Swift
Thomas Gibbons
Jóni Silva Brandão
Peter Sagan
Alejandro Valverde
Daniel Martin
Richie Porte
Fleche was an amazing race 
