Lewis Askey claimed his second podium of the season thanks to a combative performance at the ever-charismatic Tro-Bro Léon race in Brittany on Sunday.
Askey sprinted to third on the uphill drag to the finish line in Lannilis after being in the thick of the action in the final 35 kilometers of the French classic, famed for its ribinou sectors and challenging conditions.
“I’m pretty happy to end up on the podium, especially after unclipping in the final at 200m to go at [Grand Prix du] Morbihan yesterday,” says Askey. “I had a lot of anger built up there that I managed to take out today, so I feel satisfied with my weekend.”
The 25-year-old was part of a five-rider group that formed in the closing 35 kilometers coming off the notorious Keradraon sector, famous for the Château de Kerouartz it runs through.
Having looked like it would stay clear, the group swelled to nine after the final passage of Keradraon, before eventual solo winner Filippo Fiorelli (TVL) broke clear just before the last sector at Meshuel. Askey almost took second, but was pipped on the line by Frenchman Alexis Renard (COF).
“The boys did a really good job today – we took it on from kilometre zero, and we were always the ones putting pressure on the race. We rode in a way to reduce our chances of bad luck.
“I actually really didn’t feel like I was on a good day today – I was cramping in both legs when I got myself into the move. I was happy to be in that break; we had a super strong group, but as always, no one wants to commit fully in this situation. We played games until the final time up the farm sector, which allowed what was left of the peloton back to us.
“I was really in the hurt locker here, but knew if I could get on to the group, anything could happen in the sprint.”
Askey’s second podium of the season – after his third-place finish on stage six at Paris – Nice in March – was achieved despite ill-fortune striking teammates Hugo Hofstetter and Riley Sheehan in the key phase of the race.
He adds: “Unfortunately, Riley punctured, which meant we didn’t have numbers in the final. Visma managed to play this card and ended up with the win.”
DS René Mandri praised Askey for his performance, but also rued the bad luck that befell the team’s co-leaders in the final hour of the race.
“Lewis rode well, went with the strong guys, and did a perfect race,” he says. “We had a plan to bring as many riders to the final as possible, with Lewis, Riley and Hugo being the leaders.
“The guys did a great job keeping the boys out of trouble for most of the race, but the problems came in the final – we lost guys due to punctures. Hugo’s was just before the hard climb that split the field, and Riley’s came after he made the first split with Lewis.
“But this is Tro-Bro – you never know where you will puncture, and if it happens at a bad time it’s tough to come back!”