Tour de France, stage 3 – Sondre Holst Enger – I still have a lot to learn before I can compete for the win –

THE QUOTE

“I still have some things to learn before I can compete to win a stage like this at the Tour de France,” Sondre Holst Enger admitted after taking a strong 6th place in a sprint that was narrowly won by Mark Cavendish in Angers.

THE EXPLANATION

According to Sondre Holst Enger: “I am satisfied with my place in this sprint where you had to have the sheer power to pass your rivals. All the guys who finished ahead of me are definitely members of the sprint elite. I really have also to thank the hard work that the team did for me, and thank Reto Hollenstein for placing me so well.”

THE ANALYSIS

As given by Rik Verbrugghe: “The guys were towing the line. They mobilized not only to place Sondre Holst Enger for the sprint, but also to protect Mathias Frank and Jarlinson Pantano all day so that there would be no slip-ups with splits in the finale.”

THE NUMBER

By taking this stage ahead of André Greipel, his 28th victory in a Tour de France stage, Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) has tied with Bernard Hinault for the total number of stages won at La Grande Boucle.

THE MENU FOR THE DAY

The riders of the Tour de France will tackle their longest day tomorrow with a stage of 237.5 kilometers that will start in Saumur and finish in Limoges.

Pictures – IAM/Merot & BettiniPhoto (Sprint)