Erik Fetter breaks away from the breakaway and Edward Ravasi holds on until the Col de Menthieres

33º Tour de l´Ain
Stage 3: Izernore – Lélex Monts-Jura (125 km)

The Tour de l’Ain ended on Saturday with a double victory, stage and overall, for Australian Michael Storer. Hungarian Erik Fetter took the lead in a breakaway of nine riders that formed midway through the race after a frenetic start to the day that set a high pace throughout the day. Italian Edward Ravasi was the best classified in the final general classification of the French race.

Ravasi resisted in the leader’s group until the ascent of the Col de Menthieres, halfway up, when Lotto-Soudal imposed a very high pace to drop the yellow jersey. Ravasi focused on his own pace while the small group that Storer would later break away from was formed ahead of him. At the finish, Ravasi’s group was 1’24” behind, with Storer finishing 23rd.

Erik Fetter: “Today I was able to join the breakaway after many attacks and a very fast race. I had to make a big solo effort to join the breakaway and I couldn’t recover for the following attacks. This year’s race didn’t go the way I had hoped, but we’ll take the experience and start working on the team’s next races”.

Edward Ravasi, 29th overall, 7’45” behind Storer: “Another full gas day. For me it was even better than Friday’s stage. I’m not far away from being able to be with the best. Now during this month of August we will work to be at a high level in view of the September races”.

[ Elise Chauveau / Tour de l’Ain (1)]