Offredo : "Breakaway not only for publicity"

Wanty-Groupe Gobert experienced a strong day in the Tour de France on Sunday. In the 2nd stage between Düsseldorf and Liège, the team could show themselves from the first kilometer. Encouraged by the numerous German public, Yoann Offredo joined the breakaway at the beginning of the stage. Our Frenchman was in front until 1 kilometer from the line on the Quai des Ardennes. Because of that he was rewarded with the price of the most combative rider. Because our riders finish 11th, 12th and 17th in the sprint (Pasqualon, Vanspeybrouck Smith), Wanty-Groupe Gobert is the best team in Sunday's team classification.

Yoann Offredo (most combative rider):

"I had a few days to analyze the roadbook in Düsseldorf on my room. I immediately saw that an escape would leave early."

"When the break was formed I wondered why I was in front. It was raining the whole day, but the feeling was good. Then I realized I was there for the public, along the side of the road. I knew that if we could get over the last climb in front we had a chance. I could fight for the stage together with Taylor Phinney. "

"Some talked about a breakaway for publicity, but that was not my main goal. In my mind there was something else. The stage victory. In a stage like today I am not sprinting for victory, and I am not the best in the mountain stages. So I do it with my means in stages like today. I certainly want to try again, but not tomorrow. "

Hilaire Van der Schueren (sports director):

"I am more than satisfied. This is the scenario we dreamed off! It was not easy to motivate the riders before the start for a stage that "ends on a sprint". But everyone could find out that the team was there. And that Yoann was a long time in front."

"I also saw the sponsors in tears, and on the Côte d'Olne I only saw blue hats (a village where Wanty-Groupe Gobert invited 2000 guests). Such days are not common."