One day, Alexis Renard will look back on the THIRD PLACE OVERALL overall he recorded today at the conclusion of TOUR DE WALLONIE as the first major milestone in an illustrious career.
At least, that’s what he hopes will happen. “What happened today makes me so happy as it is my first GC podium in my pro career. It’s sweet, certainly. But I hope it’s only the beginning.”
Everyone who witnessed this 22-year-old from Bretagne in the Tour de Wallonie was as impressed with his power as his poise. In the fourth stage, he overcame a mechanical mishap in the last part of the stage which could have endangered his GC standing. In other stages, he was up there in the critical moves when the best riders went for the win. “He impressed me immensely,” said ISN sports director Dirk Demol. “It was a high-level race with 13 WorldTour teams. This kid has what it takes to develop into a very strong rider in both single day classics and tour races.”
Alexis was quick to credit his teammates who put out a huge effort, protecting him in the last two stages and defending his podium.
Alexis: “The team did an amazing job and showed in me the confidence that I can make it. Lots of guys came up to me and told me, ‘You have such a strong team!’”
