Monday, July 22 began the Tour de Wallonie on the podium for Intermarché-Wanty thanks to their Estonian sprinter Madis Mihkels. Mihkels finished second in the opening stage that connected Tournai, where the Walloon team is based, to Fleurus with difficult sections such as the cobbled sectors of Villers-la-Ville, Heppignies and the steep climb of the Petit Try not far from the finish.
Despite these obstacles, it was a bunch sprint that presented itself in the last kilometer to contest the victory. Brought by his lead-out train, Mihkels was only beaten by Jordi Meeus on the line and achieved his first podium of the season, the team’s 35th in 2024, with Lilian Calmejane, eighth, in the top 10. After this stage, Madis Mihkels takes the red jersey of best young rider.
Madis Mihkels:
“It was a course that suited me, difficult with short climbs and a sprint at the finish. We have one of the strongest teams at the start, for the sprint we made clear tactical agreements and that’s how I found myself in a perfect position in the last 1,500 meters. At that moment, things almost went wrong, because a motorbike chose the wrong direction, which even caused a crash. I got away with a fright, because I almost crashed too. In the end, I’m happy with the sprint I did. Jordi Meeus was the fastest man and deservedly wins. I think we can be satisfied with this podium and our collective performance today.”
