Credit: P. Pichon

Credit: P. Pichon

Credit: P. Pichon

 

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Eisel hits top speed to take Paris-Bourges

October 09, 2008

Bernhard Eisel has outsprinted four other riders for a hard-fought victory in the Paris-Bourges Classic in France on Thursday.

“The attacks kept coming towards the end” the Columbia pro. said, “because the others knew that I was the fastest rider for the finish.”

“To make it even harder, I started cramping up a little  with 20 kilometres to go and a lot with four kilometres to go, so I knew this one was going to be really tough!”

“Then there were four French guys in the move, and they were very motivated because it was a home race for them.”

The Columbia rider formed part of an early breakaway of six, which then shrank to five about 50 kilometres from the finish.

“I was telling the guys in the move that we had to work together because we’d never have such a good chance to stay away and get such a big race for such a cheap price!”

“The attacks started about six kilometres from the line, and I was constantly on the front, pulling back moves.”

“About 250 metres from the finish, [Antony] Charteau went for it, and I got past him with maybe 150 metres from the line and went for it myself.”

“It was very close, [runner-up Cedric] Pineau was almost able to get past me. But I just did it. The finish line is where it is!”

“I’d warned the guys to be careful about the early breaks because a lot of riders are tired by the end of the season and we had to make sure somebody was in that move. ” added team sports director Tristan Hoffman.

“Bernie got in the move, then the advantage went up and up, two minutes on the bunch, then three, then four, and after that it was pretty clear it was going to stay away.”

“He gambled on it ending in a sprint - and it worked out perfectly!”