Dan McLay's sprint to win GP de Denain was incredible (video)
The rider somehow found a way through to take the win at the GP de Denain
Dan McLay (Fortuneo–Vital Concept) took a sensational win at the GP de Denain thanks to a well timed, excellently handled late sprint. He crossed the line first in the 199.6km race in north-eastern France.
As riders tussled for the front, the familiar pattern of a professional cycle race was forming: people getting boxed in, lead out men trying to get their leaders into the best position, riders sprinting then fading.
As the head of the bunch got within 100 metres of the finish it looked as though Thomas Boudat (Direct Energie) had timed his sprint perfectly to take the win.
However, McLay incredibly manages to weave his way through the fast moving peloton, surge to the front and get his arms in the arm just as he crosses the line.
>>> Watch: Robbie McEwen’s joy at Mathew Hayman’s Paris-Roubaix win, plus more cycling videos
It's worth watching this one a few times: about five seconds and 15-20 metres before crossing the finish line McLay is sitting approximately 12th and with no clear view of the finish line.
>>> Michael Matthews and Nacer Bouhanni: controversial Paris-Nice sprint
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It looks like he's been training with Nacer Bouhanni, on the road and in the boxing ring. He weaves right, he shuffles left, then he powers on over the finish line.
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Jack Elton-Walters hails from the Isle of Wight, and would be quick to tell anyone that it's his favourite place to ride. He has covered a varied range of topics for Cycling Weekly, producing articles focusing on tech, professional racing and cycling culture. He moved on to work for Cyclist Magazine in 2017 where he stayed for four years until going freelance. He now returns to Cycling Weekly from time-to-time to cover racing, review cycling gear and write longer features for print and online.
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