Polga goes on the attack, Kopecky sprints

The opening stage of the Région Pays de la Loire Tour was also the longest of the race. The peloton navigated the 208 kilometers day in routine fashion, allowing a breakaway up the road before reeling them in. 

Team Novo Nordisk achieved its first goal, getting a rider in the breakaway. Antonio Polga went on the attack and was out front with four others for 150 kilometers. They were given a maximum gap of 3 minutes 40 seconds. 

Matyas Kopecky explained how this allowed the rest of the team to stay out of the wind in the peloton while paying attention. “We were fifth or sixth team in the peloton, just staying alert and waiting to get to the local laps. The break was caught before we got to the laps. There was a possibility of crosswinds in a certain section so about 10km before we got there, the peloton increased the pace significantly. Unfortunately, there were no splits. The first move we had was on the first lap of the local laps. I was in the move but immediately could feel it wasn’t hard enough for us to stay away,” Kopecky said. 

The Czech rider lined up today off the back of fifth place in La Route Adélie de Vitré and seventh in Paris – Camembert just days ago. A top ten today ended up out of reach as he sprinted to fourteenth place.

“The circuit was so technical, especially the last 2km. I was a little on the limit on the last lap from trying to get to the front all the time. With 600m to go I was in the front, for a top 10 but got swamped. I was feeling really good but with 200m to go my chain dropped and that was the chance gone.” 

Tomorrow is another chance and it looks likely another sprint is on the cards. Kopecky said it isn’t ideally suited to him as he awaits the harder stages but will give it his best shot nonetheless. “It’s not ideal for me because I prefer a bit of a harder finish but we will try again. Antonio going in the break saved our day and it was good to see him there. We had a bit of bad luck but we’re ready for tomorrow.”