McLay wins final Circuit Sarthe stage

Dan McLay claimed his first victory for EF Education First-Drapac, out-sprinting the fast French men Samuel Dumoulin (AG2R La Mondiale) and Marc Sarreau (Groupama-FDJ) in the conclusive stage of the Circuit de la Sarthe-Pays de la Loire in Sablé-sur-Sarthe, won overall by Guillaume Martin (Wanty-Groupe Gobert).

"The boys got me in a good position in the last lap," McLay told Cyclingnews on the finishing line. "I used a little bit of energy earlier on to be in the front in the small road. I was a little bit far back. But I knew the finish a little bit uphill, so it was better to wait and go fast from behind. I started maybe with 250 metres to go but from behind, at 80% and I went full gas to cross the line. It was a little bit long waiting to win for my new team but it's good to open the account. It's a confidence booster for me and the team to believe in me. I'm on the right track for going forward."

Hot favourite Bryan Coquard was led out by his Vital Concept team but surrendered in the middle of the sprint even though the slightly uphill profile of the finale suited him at perfection. His former teammate Perrig Quémeneur (Direct Energie) and Jetse Bol (Manzana-Postobon) were the last of the breakaway riders reeled in by the peloton with 5km to go. They remained at the front until very late although they had been close to being caught much earlier on as their advantage was reduced to ten seconds with 30km to go.

"We rode almost too well as a team," overall winner Martin declared at the finish. "We could have let a bigger advantage to the escapees, like seven or eight minutes. We rode audaciously yesterday and we controlled it today with a strong team. Only when Pierre Rolland made a move, I was a little bit worried. Interestingly, I struggled to sleep during the first two nights at the Circuit de la Sarthe but I was very serene last night. This victory comes at the right time, about ten days ahead of the Ardennes classics that are my goals of the first part of the season. My work at training, notably in Sicily, has been productive. I hope to continue profiting from this good condition."

It was Martin's second participation to the Circuit de la Sarthe-Pays de la Loire. "When I realized there was no time trial this year, I really wanted to do it," Martin added. "But our team wasn't initially selected. We insisted to be lined up throughout our French sponsor BTP consultant. We've done well by insisting to do well."

Martin put his name on the record book of the French event in 66th position, following big names like Bernard Hinault, Greg LeMond, David Millar, Andreas Klöden, Thomas Voeckler, Luis Leon Sanchez and Rolland.

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