Cycling: Fabian Lienhard (IAM Excelsior) just missed his first tour win. The 25-year-old Swiss was only caught on the final stage of the Tour de Bretagne - due to the time bonus for third-placed Lorrenzo Manzin (Vital Concept - B&B Hotels).
Lienhard cannot defend his overall lead
Fabian Lienhard (IAM Excelsior) almost won a Tour for the first time in his career. At the 53rd Tour de Bretagne, the Swiss started the final stage in the leader's jersey. The fifth section was decisive for this. On the way from Rougé to Le Ferré, he was part of a five-man lead group, which was able to finish with a lead of three seconds in front of the peloton. Fabian Lienhard conquered the leader's jersey with second place. Thanks to the time bonuses in the finish area, the 25-year-old Swiss still had to fear for his overall victory on the last two sections of the seven-day tour. So missed Luca Mozzato (Dimension Data for Qhubeka) on Tuesday with fourth place just barely the overall lead. Today the Frenchman had Lorrenzo Manzin (Vital Concept – B&B Hotels) the better end in itself. He sprinted to third place and still passed Fabian Lienhard.
Lienhard is having a strong 2019 season
Not only because of his performance at the Tour de Bretagne, the 2019 season has been for Fabian Lienhard a real success. The likeable Swiss had already celebrated twice before. He won the in Croatia in early March Porec Trophy and in mid-April, the second stage of the Tour du Loir et Cher. With two wins this season, 2019 is already the most successful time in his career so far. Lienhard celebrated his only professional victory to date last year by winning the start of the Tour de Normandie.
[Jour 5] Revive the sprint of the 5 steps to the arrival of Ferré and the Victoire de @SLuchshenko d'@AstanaTeam ! 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/XvpyPPslHc
— Tour de Bretagne (@tourdebretagne) 29 April 2019
Source of cover image:
© instagram @fablienhard