Sylvain Georges won the first stage of the first stage of the Rhône Alpes Isère Tour 2011 (see the summary of the stage).

After the finish he discussed with us about this victory and his chances to keep the yellow jersey.

Here's what he said:

A strategic approach of the finish ... and good luck!

In the final part of the race I told myself: "if you get out of the last turn in second position, you'll be able to get over him. That's why I wasn't really worried, I always staid in second or third position and he stopped his sprint just a bit too early, not knowing I was really right in his wheel. He tempered his effort at about 30 meters from the finish while I continued with the flow and get over him for only one or two centimeters.

It's a bit frustrating when you don't get to celebrate a victory when crossing the finish line, but every victory is a good one! I think it was a nice sprint and honestly, at the start of the stage I really didn't think I would be able to win it because I didn't feel that well. I just came back from the 4 Jours de Dunkerque and it's not that easy to get back in shape after 5 days racing. That's why I was not sure I could get in shape but after 2 or 2 and a half hours my body started to feel better so I told myself: "you have to believe in it because you're starting to get back in shape".

Keeping the jersey ... not that easy!

It won't be easy to defend the yellow jersey because we only have 5 riders in the team while all the other teams have 6. Our goal wasn't really to come for the general classification but to win one or more stages. We thus already achieved our goal. We'll try to defend it anyway but to control a peloton of 100 riders at 4 or 5 won't be easy.

I'm happy with this first victory in a class 2 race. I took many second places but never a victory, so winning this stage for BigMat is really cool. They believed in me, they took me in a professional team so taking this victory for them is somehow my way to thank them to have faith in me and to give me a chance.

Among my main competitors for the yellow jersey is Thibaut Pinot who ended 3rd in the Tour of Turquie and who's really in good shape. Team Europcar could also cause us some trouble. They'll all go for it: today's stage was quite flat but Saturday will be a mountain stage so it'll definitely be more difficult.
I'm not lucky with those kind of things because every time I take such a jersey, I never manage to keep it. I always take it in the first stage and lose it in the third for example ...

door Thomas Vergouwen
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this publication is published in: Cycling general (except Tour de France) | Rhône Alpes Isère Tour

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