‘Emotional finish’ for Matteo Trentin at Tour de France 2019
The Italian rode away from the breakaway to claim Mitchelton-Scott’s fourth stage win
Matteo Trentin celebrated an “emotional finish” as he crossed the line alone on stage 17 of the Tour de France.
The Mitchelton-Scott rider notched a fourth stage win for his team in the 2019 race and his first in the Tour for five years.
Trentin was the best of a 30-rider breakaway on stage 17 as the race transferred to the Gap on a nailed-on breakaway day via two categorised climbs.
After attacks broke up the escape, Italian Trentin broke free from his rivals a kilometre before the final third category climb.
Speaking after the stage, the 29-year-old said: “It was an emotional finish because I’ve only won two races in my career alone, and doing it in the Tour de France on this finish, with this super strong group is amazing.
“Today was definitely my last chance before three days in the Alps that are extremely demanding.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“This solo win has a special taste after two that I got through bunch sprints. I was getting top-10 in all kind of stages, finally I won.
“It’s a great moment.”
Trentin won his first Tour de France stage on his debut in the race back in 2013, when riding for Quick-Step, going on to win stages in all three Grand Tours including four in the 2017 Vuelta.
The European champion was a consistent top-10 finisher in the bunch sprints at the 2019 Tour de France, but never seemed a danger to his faster rivals.
Trentin opted to take the sprint out of the equation on stage 17, riding clear of the big threat Greg Van Avermaet (CCC Team) and riding the final 14km alone.
>>> Chris Froome already back on the indoor trainer and pedalling with just his good leg
He added: “My mentality helped me win even more than my legs, I never would have imagined I would win solo.
“I attacked two or three times, trying to go solo before the climbing, bearing in mind that I’m more able to ride at my pace at the front, rather than try and follow attacks uphill.”
Mitchelton-Scott arrived at the Tour with general classification ambitions for Adam Yates, but as that dream crumbled the Australian outfit have bounced back with four stage victories, all from breakaways – Daryl Impey on stage nine, Simon Yates on day 12 and 15, and now Trentin.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'She should show a bit more respect' - Lotte Kopecky responds to Demi Vollering comments
The pair seemingly had one last fractious year together at SD Worx-Protime in 2024
By Tom Davidson Published
-
BikeExchange safe from WorldTour relegation, no more 'scrapping over points to the death'
"The points system is clearly broken" says Matt White, team's head directeur sportif
By Adam Becket Published
-
Kristen Faulkner takes a stunning solo win at the Giro Donne
Van Vleuten loses time but easily maintains a commanding lead going into Sunday’s final stage
By Owen Rogers Published
-
Fresh start for Dylan Groenewegen after comeback victory at Tour de France
Team BikeExchange-Jayco rider is at his first Tour de France since serving his nine-month suspension for causing crash
By Adam Becket Published
-
Kristen Faulkner cools down after making a splash at the Giro Donne
The American headed straight for the sea to after winning the stage and taking the Giro Donne overall lead
By Owen Rogers Published
-
Simon Yates misses out on Tour de France selection
Team BikeExchange-Jayco opt for sprint focussed line-up focused on Dylan Groenewegen
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Simon Yates abandons Giro d'Italia with ongoing knee issue
Team BikeExchange-Jayco rider won two stages, but missed out on GC challenge
By Adam Becket Published
-
Simon Yates to target stage wins after ending general classification challenge at Giro d'Italia
Team BikeExchange-Jayco rider to hunt stage wins in final two weeks
By Adam Becket Published
-
'I just tried to go as fast as possible' — Simon Yates on his Giro d'Italia time trial win
Team BikeExchange-Jayco rider beat Mathieu van der Poel by three seconds
By Adam Becket Published