Direct Energie's Lillian Calmejane has snatched the overall win on the final stage of the CoppiE Bartali race in Italy.
Cannondale Drapac's Toms Skujins had a lead of 22 seconds after Saturday's stage going into the final stage which was a 160km stage from Fiorano modenese to Sassuolo.
With ten kilometres to go, Skujins crashed and this allowed Lillian Calmejane to take the win in 3.44.32 ahead of Rodolfo Torres and with Skujins finishing 18th, Calmejane took the overall victory.
Skujins said about finishing second overall to his team's press office : “One rider came into the line too hard on the final climb. “He touched my front wheel. I touched his back wheel. I had to unclip not to crash, and while unclipped, I went off the road. My chain fell off. I had to put it back on and then try to get into the rhythm again.
“TJ [Slagter] was still there with me at the bottom of the climb. “He did such an amazing job beforehand, all day. He was the last guy to stay with me. He had done so much that there was no way he was going to survive with the top guys over the top, and yeah, I missed the front group selection by a whisper.”
“I was one of the strongest riders today. “Even after my near-crash, I only just barely missed the front group and they were going full gas on the climb. That’s why it’s even more disappointing. I had the legs. If it was the legs, and I couldn’t do anything about it, ok. But this wasn’t the legs.
“The way the team rode all day, they were giving it their all. “We were all tired. It was hard for everyone. The riders and the staff gave 100 percent every day in Italy. I’m disappointed personally, but I’m also disappointed I couldn’t do it for them.”
“If someone had said at the beginning that I could take a spot on the podium – second or third – I would have said: ‘Yes, I’ll take it.’ but when you’re so close to victory those lesser places are quiet sour. “I need a couple days to process this one.”
