After two challenging opening stages at Boucles de la Mayenne, the team stepped up to deliver sprinter Arvid de Kleijn to fourth on stage 3. The 182km route featured five categorized climbs but none were hard enough to break up the pack. In the final kilometers of the race, de Kleijn’s teammates brought him to the front of the peloton where he navigated his way through the leadout trains to claim his best result since the Tour of Turkey.
“I did a really good sprint but was too far back to go for the victory,” said de Kleijn. “I’m still thinking about what could have happened if I had a better position but that’s sprinting and I’m happy I was able to move up to fourth.”
Great sprint by @arviddekleijn to finish fourth on stage 3 of @boucles53 🙌🏼@PierAndrCt1, @A_de_Vos and crew did a great job looking after the 🇳🇱🦍#Boucles53 | #GetReadyForTomorrow pic.twitter.com/9MVTXTa4QX
— Rally Cycling (@Rally_Cycling) May 29, 2021
Despite strong legs on the first two days of racing, de Kleijn’s luck could have been better.
“The first stage was not good. I felt great but crashed at 30km to go and couldn’t come back. The second day had some steep climbs at a fast pace and I had cramps in the final two km. It was nice to finally have a shot at the finish on Saturday.”
Mayenne’s final stage is expected to end in a field sprint as double-stage winner Arnaud Démare and his Groupama – FDJ squad look for the hat trick.
“I’m hoping for another sprint opportunity,” added de Kleijn. “Stage 4 is a bit of a harder stage but I’ve been handling the climbs pretty well and the local laps should suit me. I hope to have good legs and challenge for the podium.”
Stage 3 results
1 DÉMARE Arnaud Groupama – FDJ 4:18:48
2 HALVORSEN Kristoffer Uno-X Pro Cycling Team ”
3 EEKHOFF Nils Team DSM ”
4 DE KLEIJN Arvid Rally Cycling ”
5 ANIOŁKOWSKI Stanisław Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB ”
6 ALLEGAERT Piet Cofidis, Solutions Crédits ”
7 MCLAY Daniel Team Arkéa Samsic ”
8 VERMEULEN Emiel Xelliss – Roubaix Lille Métropole ”
9 WEEMAES Sasha Sport Vlaanderen – Baloise ”
10 ABERASTURI Jon Caja Rural – Seguros RGA ”
