Van Avermaet said after the finish: "I felt good at the start, but two flats early on set me back. I managed to catch up to the leading group, but it took a lot of energy. I hung in there and finished with a solid 7th place! After a good night's sleep, I can say it was a great experience."
"I initially competed with non-disabled athletes," the BMC athlete continues. "Later, I chose to be classified in paratriathlon with the French federation. After participating in detection days, where paratriathletes were tested in all three sports, I was selected to join the development team in 2023. This stage precedes joining the French national team and allows participation in international competitions."
Padova was the setting for another mass sprint finale, and Dainese desperately wanted to win Tudor Pro Cycling's first Grand Tour stage in his hometown. He launched his final effort to the line early, but the stage was 50 meters too long for the sprinter.
