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Despite mechanical bad luck, Mark Cavendish still finished third in the Heistse Pijl. Together with second Nizzolo, the Brit of Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl had to recognize his superior in our compatriot Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Soudal). Although a visibly disappointed Cavendish had forgotten his name for a moment.
Jens HeylenBron: sporza
Saturday 4 June 2022 at 17:32
“That third place was a bit disappointing,” Cavendish said afterwards. “The guys worked hard all day to be at the front for sure on the last lap. My chain came loose in the descent of the Heistse Berg, which is not the first time that has happened this year. I tried to hang on and make up as many places as possible, but that’s always difficult when a sprint is coming,” Cavendish said. Although the Brit had to ask for confirmation about the winner: “What is his name by the way? The Lie? The Bee? He is very fast. If I could have started the sprint in the first five, where I was before that chain struggled, then there was more to it,” said Cavendish.
Team mate Davide Ballerini was the first to start the last climb of the Heistse Pijl. Did he go for his own chance? “He just pulled it on a ribbon,” Cavendish said. “It was still the intention to launch me. But my chain has judged it differently and that is very unfortunate.”
Giacomo Nizzolo: “I missed the legs to win”
“Second again”, Nizzolo sighed after the finish. “It was a very nervous race today. The final was also very technical, especially with the climb of the Heistse Berg in the final kilometres. That caused some fragmentation. After all, everyone wanted to start that climb in a good position. After the cobbled zone we were left with three who had a chance of winning. It was then a question of waiting as long as possible before starting the sprint. In the end I went on but saw that young Lotto rider remount me. He is the deserved winner.”
The Italian keeps piling up the places of honor neatly. “I have to admit that I didn’t feel great today,” he explained. “It’s amazing that I was able to fight for the win. What I missed to win? Better legs. Had I had that, my first win might have been a fact. Now I have to be satisfied with the closest place of honor, but I don’t think that’s a shame to be honest.”
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