Team News: GP Ouest-France – Evald the Boss

Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Sky) soloed to a superb victory at the GP Ouest-France in Plouay after launching a powerful late attack on the roads of Brittany.

The Norwegian crossed the line comfortably ahead of Rui Costa (Movistar), while Heinrich Haussler (Garmin-Sharp) won the bunch sprint for third place. Costa attacked on the final climb of the 27km circuit only to see Boasson Hagen reel him in and then accelerate away to take the win at the UCI WorldTour event. The Team Sky rider had time to sit up and take the plaudits of the crowd as he rolled across the finish line in style.

Edvald Boasson Hagen: “I’m really happy with that and it was nice to get the win today. The team did a really good job to keep me up there all day and heading into the finish. I was riding a lot in the bunch with Thomas and Christian who helped me out a lot. I felt good when I jumped clear and I felt confident that I could take the win.”

“The whole team did lots of pulling on the front during the day so it was great to be able to finish it off. It has been quite a while since my last victory so it was nice to see the form is good. Hopefully it can continue.”
Sean Yates, Team Sky Sports Director: “It was a really impressive win from Eddy. He bridged out of the group across to Rui Costa and went straight past him. He was unstoppable! We have a bit of a depleted team here starting with seven. Thomas has just come back too but we’ve got some strong guys. Salvatore and Alex did a lot of work and then Christian helped set Eddy up coming into the final.”

“It was a hard race in the latter stages and that meant there was no one dominant team. It was every man for himself. I told the guys ‘if you feel good don’t be scared to have a go and don’t let the race slip away.’ No one was capable of controlling moves or bringing them back. Eddy took his chance and reaped the benefits.

“It’s nice to win in a bunch sprint but to win solo in that fashion with that crowd would have been a special feeling. It was quite a nice run-in so when he got under the 500 metre banner with a tailwind that would have given him wings.”
RACE RESULT

1. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Sky) 5:55:28

2. Rui Costa (Movistar) +5″

3. Heinrich Haussler (Garmin-Sharp) +5″

4. Matthew Goss (Orica-GreenEDGE) +5″

5. Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto-Belisol) +5″