After working yesterday to set up the sprint for Tom Boonen, today I was captain again and after a long and confusing sprint won the Grand Prix de Fourmies. I am very happy about this win, because it wasn’t an easy sprint, and despite the weather conditions and the challenging profile I still had good legs.

In the finale Matteo brought me in a good position. I shoved myself between Bouhanni and his teammates. Then there was a gap, because the guy riding for Bouhanni peeled off and I had the wind on my chest. That was about 500 meters before the finish. Suddenly Coquard and his train came flying past me and I had to work hard to get in their slipstream, so that Bouhanni, who was now on my rear wheel, couldn’t get by me.

In light of all of this, I am really satisfied with this win and I am confident for the next race.